05:38 PM CST on Tuesday, March 28, 2006

From Amy Tortolani and Reggie Aqui / 11 News

Amy Tortolani’s report | Reggie Aqui’s report | Eisenhower students arrested | Students march on Bingle Road | Hightower students | Students surround police car

High school students from several Houston area campuses marched to City Hall to protest the proposed overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws.

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A few student protesters were arrested at Eisenhower High School.

They walked several miles from campuses all over Houston through rain to City Hall.

The students came from Jeff Davis, Austin, Eisenhower, Sam Houston and Milby High Schools, among others.

A few Eisenhower students were arrested for curfew violations and failing to obey police officer's orders.

"We're not here to harass you or give you a hard time. We're just here to enforce the law," one officer told the students.

But some scattered and tried to go around the officers.

"We're showing the little kids that this is gonna be their future and that we did this for their parents," said one student.

Each student had a different reason for walking out of class, but combined, they formed a united, peaceful protest against the proposed changes in immigration policies.

"We need justice. We need justice for the people in the future. They're coming into the world and they want to have a better life and we want them to have a better life too," said protester Maria Torres.

Torres, an Austin High School senior, and Edgar Martinez, were given the opportunity to share their feelings with Mayor Bill White.

“We wanna be heard, that’s why,” student Maria Torres said. “We’re the future; we wanna be heard.”

“[Mayor White] told us to keep on going, to not stop, to spread the word with everyone,” student Edgar Martinez said.

The mayor said he appreciates all the work the students are doing to get their message out, but he admitted it is a federal issue.

City Councilwoman Carol Alvarado was one of the first city leaders to speak with students. Austin High is in her district.

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The students walked for miles in the rain to converge on City Hall for a rally.

“I support the position that they’re taking up, a position in civic activity, but we also want them to know that education is the key to get ahead in our community,” she said. “And I applaud their efforts.”

“They’ve been very peaceful, some of them have returned to school, but I certainly am proud of their efforts today,” she added.

Alvarado took the two students in to talk with Mayor White.

“Simply, they want to express their opinions, they want their voices to be heard,” Alvarado said. “And I think that’s important—we have to listen to our kids.”

HISD said it would be up to every individual principal what punishment, if any, would be taken against those who protested Tuesday.

Earlier Tuesday, Air 11 showed aerials of about 300 students marching south on Bingle Road, while dozens more could be seen on Quitman street blocking traffic.

The vast majority of protesters followed the rules, staying off of private property and out of the road.

At one point, dozens of students surrounded an HPD squad car.

Police said they wrote out a handful of traffic and truancy tickets and put some students into squad cars after they allegedly mouthed off to the officers. Some were also arrested because they didn't have identification.

“If you are a curfew violator you will be cited,” an HPD officer told some Eisenhower students during their march.  “We will try to get you some buses to return you to your schools where you belong.  If you refuse to do that and you are a curfew violator, I am going to say it one more time.  You will be issued a citation.”

A senior from Eisenhower High who helped organize a group said it is more than just an excuse to get out of school

KHOU-TV

Students marched on Bingle Road.

“We all know why we’re here.  We’re here to stand up for our rights and our freedom and for our families.  Because it’s basically going to be our families that are going to be affected by this,” said Jesse Quintero, student.

There were varying levels of understanding as to what is going on in Congress.  Some students seem to have done their research and others appear to be marching to be with their friends.

Eisenhower High students said this was their last day of protest and will allegedly be back in class tomorrow.