Dozens of students at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School joined the nation Wednesday afternoon in protest against recent executive orders made by President Donald Trump and his administration.
Led by seniors Josephine Powers and Kathleen Da Silva and facilitated by social studies teacher Amy Jacques, students and teachers gathered at the front of the school during their lunch period looking to make their voices heard.
The event was part of the 50501 Movement — 50 states, 50 protests, one day — where protesters across the country are responding to the flurry of decisions made by the Trump administration since inauguration day.
“One of the points of this is to make sure that students know that their voices matter,” Ms. Powers said.
Numerous student organizations were represented, including Women of MV Club, Black Student Alliance and Protect Your Environment Club. Some messages on signs included “no human being is illegal,” “don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” and “they got money for war but can’t feed the poor.”
“Everybody has a different topic, different issue that they want to [bring attention to],” Ms. Da Silva said.
Sophomore Alyssa Vieira cited new hard-line immigration policies as her biggest concern.
“Everyone is a person, no matter where we come from and what we look like,” she said.
Ms. Jacques said her goal was to encourage students to use their voice.
“It’s showing kids that, yes, you can come out and do this, and it’s important,” she said.
For Ms. Da Silva, the importance of unity and persistence was prevalent.
“There are only people out there that are willing to fight and they just need to know that other people feel the same way,” she said.
Ms. Powers thanked her peers for taking part in the protest.
“Thank you for being out here,” she said. “When you’re old enough to vote, register to vote. Your voices matter.”
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