Students at Marshall High School, pictured above, walked out of class last week to protest against ICE. Credit: Michael Karlis

At least 13 San Antonio-area school districts are walking out of class on Friday as part of the national general strike called in response to President Trump’s draconian immigration crackdown and assault on democratic norms.

The local walkouts are organized in part by the San Antonio Students Peace, a new organization run by high school students that popped up this month.

The mass walkout includes both private and public schools from six local school districts, including Northside ISD, San Antonio ISD, Southwest ISD, Alamo Heights ISD and North East ISD, according to organizers.

The first students left campus this morning at Sandra Day O’Connor High School at 9:46 a.m., followed by students at Brandeis and Jefferson high schools.

Walkouts are also planned at Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Madison High School, Southwest High School, Johnson High School, Alamo Heights High School, Reagan High School, Edison High School, John Paul Stevens High School, KIPP University Prep High School and Earl Warren High School.

The walkouts are student-led and not supported or condoned by the school districts, organizers also said.

Several San Antonio businesses have also closed or reduced operating hours Friday in response to the national strike. The labor stoppage is inspired by one held in Minneapolis last week in response to ICE’s fatal shooting of mother-of-three Renee Good.

Some San Antonio businesses participating in the strike include Nowhere Bookshop, Cooper Rose Wine, Shotgun House Coffee Roasters, Hash Vegan Eatery, the Clay Department, Wildcraft General and Del Bravo Record Shop.

District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez said in a Facebook post that his office would also be closed today in support of the general strike and efforts to “denounce the terror ICE is inflicting on all communities.”

“We stand with Minneapolis, we stand with migrant families, and we call for the dismantling and abolition of ICE,”McKee Rodriguez said.

Other businesses, including Black Lab Brewery, are donating 25% of their sales today to immigrant advocacy group RAICES.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...