900 San Mateo Co. Students Take Part in Walkout, Demonstration

SAN MATEO, CA — Hundreds of area high school students took part in protests on the Peninsula Tuesday, according to school officials and police.

Here in San Mateo County, students from San Mateo, Hillsdale and Aragon high schools organized an event, in which all demonstrators headed to Central Park for a meeting point. Students from nearby Peninsula High School and Design Tech High School also took part.

"Students from the three schools have indicated that they will be walking out of their classes at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday... to gather peacefully at Central Park in downtown San Mateo to express their views regarding the presidential election," a message from San Mateo Union High School District stated prior to the protest.

"District staff will not prevent students from participating in any protest," officials said. "However, teachers will indicate an unexcused absence in the student information system for students not in class."

As of 4 p.m., police told Patch that things were going smoothly and all students reached the meetup without incident. They estimated 900 students from the five area high schools showed up.

"As of right now, it's been peaceful," SMPD Sgt. Amanda Von Glahn told Patch just before 4 p.m. "The kids seemed to walk along the sidewalk, they weren't obstructing traffic."

Classes continued as normal for those who did not take part.

San Mateo police told Patch earlier in the day that they prepared for the event and assigned extra officers as needed.

"We have stepped up our staffing and we have officers assigned to the event to monitor the [students] as they walk to the planned destination," Von Glahn said Tuesday morning.

Officers will also make sure no crimes are committed during the event, such as vandalism or obstructing pathways.

She said the police department worked hand-in-hand with school officials to make sure it runs smoothly and peacefully.

"Our staff here has been in communication with [the schools] and we also have assigned school resource officers that will be monitoring traffic and what's happening on campus and be in direct contact with school officials," she said.

Images credit: Erica Messer / @HauteHarpist on Twitter