See Video: Hinsdale Central, South Students Protest ICE

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale Central High School students met outside at the beginning of the last period Wednesday, planning to march against ICE.

Near the entrance, a counterprotesting student with his friends shouted at them, "We love ICE!"

Then he offered advice.

"Get out of our country if you don't like ICE," he said.

He then approached a group of adults, including three reporters, saying, "We love America."

He suggested the demonstration would be a failure, saying it would only attract 50 students.

He underestimated: A little more than 100 showed up, or about 5 percent of students.

They marched the two miles to Willow Pond in Willowbrook, where they met an even larger group of students who walked from Hinsdale South.

Along the way, Central students blew whistles. In Chicago, Minneapolis and other cities, people use whistles to alert others of ICE's presence.

Police guarded intersections to ensure students' safe passage. For much of the march, sophomore Esha Patel and junior Mia Martinez led.

Many honked in support, while a man passed with his thumb down.

Martinez's sign read, "We are not criminals. We are dreamers." Patel's said, "Melting ICE: Warmth for our neighbors."

Other signs in the protest: "ICE out," "Stop pretending your racism is patriotism," "My existence is resistance," and "If we lose due process, then we lose our democracy."

At Willow Pond, the Central and South contingents approached each other. Some waved Mexican flags.

The combined group then walked another half mile to Route 83 and Plainfield Road, one of the area's busiest intersections. They demonstrated there, hearing many honks.

A few used loudspeakers to address the crowd.

"We are so grateful that all of you guys are here because showing up isn't the easiest thing to do," Patel said. "We're all going to get hate, whatever we do. But thank God that you guys are here and standing up."

Hinsdale South senior Renata Davila, who wore a shirt that read "Immigrants Make America Great," said justice is not optional.

"Today, we walked out not because we hate our country, but because we care about justice," she said.

Other march organizers were listed as Rebekah Lian and Angel Perez at Hinsdale Central, and Renata Copado, Irene Garcia and Alexandra Cabrera at Hinsdale South.

Before the demonstration, the district said it did not approve of students leaving the building for any unauthorized reason. It also said absences would be marked as unexcused.

Last Friday, about 450 students at York High School demonstrated against ICE. They made up nearly 20 percent of the student body.

Many Hinsdale Central students held signs in their march against ICE on Wednesday. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Hinsdale Central students walked two miles to Willow Pond in Willowbrook to meet fellow demonstrators from Hinsdale South. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Hinsdale South senior Renata Davila (foreground) takes part in the protest against ICE. Her T-shirt read, "Immigrants Make America Great." (David Giuliani/Patch)

More than 100 Hinsdale Central students on Wednesday march to Willow Pond in Willowbrook. They protested federal deportation efforts. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Hinsdale Central students make a turn Wednesday in their two-mile journey to Willow Pond in Willowbrook. (David Giuliani/Patch)

Hinsdale Central junior Mia Martinez (left) and Esha Patel lead the march of more than 100 students against federal deportation efforts. (David Giuliani/Patch)