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Posted inLocal News

Why I spoke out against ICE: How a school walkout burst our bubble of complacency

by Benjamin Barba-Zuniga, Contra Costa Youth Journalism February 26, 2026February 24, 2026

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California High School senior Benjamin Barba-Zuniga speaks to a crowd of students rallying against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in front of the San Ramon City Hall on Feb. 6, 2026. (Ethan Miyasaki via CCSpin)

MY LEGS SHOOK and my voice was sore from shouting into a crappy megaphone, but after seeing the sitting president of the United States call my friends, family (and to some extent — me) “animals,” I knew that I had to speak up.

“It feels a little strange to be up here,” I began. “Because of, yeah, the nerves, but I don’t feel like I, of all people, should be giving a speech at a protest — like, I’m just a guy.”

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Tagged: Alex Pretti, California High School, CCSpin, CCYJ, civic engagement, Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Youth Journalism, Featured, Featured News, government, high school journalism, ICE, immigration policy, Minneapolis, opinion, President Donald Trump, protests, Renee Good, San Ramon, San Ramon City Hall, student journalism, Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Youth Journalism
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