DURHAM, N. C. (WTVD) — More than a hundred people gathered in downtown Durham on Friday, many of them young people, who walked out of Durham schools to protest immigration operations in North Carolina. A spokesman for the Department of Homeland Security said this week’s immigration enforcement has led to the arrest of around 370 people. “Everybody has stayed home,” Angel Maya Martinez said. “It really affects them because they think about how am I going to feed my family? How am I going to make money to provide for them? And it’s just sad to see how everybody is hiding.” Martinez is one of many Durham Public Schools students who say it’s been an emotional week. “Our parents can’t even go to work without being in fear,” Melanie Cano said. “It’s honestly very sad, heartbreaking to see that.” The federal enforcement action, called Charlotte’s Web, stretched from Charlotte to the Triangle. SEE ALSO | NC woman detained while at work in Raleigh moved to Georgia facility to await hearing Federal authorities say the surge in law enforcement is to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed. However, federal agent sightings across the Triangle have prompted some businesses to close or operate with limited staff. Schools have also seen a decrease in attendance, including Durham Public Schools, where more than 35% of students identify as Hispanic/Latino. “It’s obviously scary for us who want to be there for our community, especially for our parents who can’t be here right now,” Hillary Resendiz said. For hours, demonstrations continued in the heart of the Bull City, including a march starting on East Chapel Hill Street. “Honestly, it’s amazing to see,” Resendiz said. “We didn’t expect for all of this to get this big, but we’re so happy to see everyone here come to support us.” SEE ALSO | Wakefield High School students hold walkout to protest federal immigration crackdown SEE ALSO | NC State students rally against CBP immigration enforcement: ‘We don’t feel safe’.
https://abc11.com/post/nc-students-durham-stage-walkout-protest-border-patrol-immigration-enforcement-actions-state/18186688/
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