SDUSD Plans Rally to Support Students After Election Rhetoric

The San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) gathered with parents and community groups on Monday, pledging to keep their schools open and welcoming to all students. 

The meeting comes on the heels of the presidential election, which has left some students and their families feeling afraid, according to the school district.

"Students are understandably dealing with a lot of anxiety and outright fear as a result of the presidential election," said SDUSD Vice President, Richard Barrera.

Barrera told NBC 7 that Monday's rally was to send a message to President-elect Donald Trump that every student has a right to an education. He added that the meeting was not about politics.

"We've got young people who fear deportation, either of themselves or their family. We've got members of Muslim community who fear harassment and discrimination. We have members of the LGBTQIA who fear harassment and discrimination," Barrera said.

SDUSD Office of Family and Community Engagement is organizing a countywide rally on Dec. 14 in Old Town. The march is in support of communities who expressed their vulnerability after the election, the district said in a statement.

"Myself, Union leaders, we both got calls after the election from teachers int eh classroom, saying 'kids are coming to school, they're crying, they're afraid, they're worried,'" said SDUSD Superintendent Cindy Marten.

Marten added that the rally is a celebration of light, so students know there are resources available to themβ€”that they understand what their rights are and who supports them.

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