Photography and Writing by Amanda Avilla

High school, middle school, and families gather amongst the Believe sign in the City Plaza. The Great Basin walkouts mirrored protests happening across the nation.

Students created signs, brought flags representing their heritages, local businesses showed up as well. Coffee N’ Comics brought food and coffee for those who walked a distance in the cold weather.

While these protests were labeled as violent and an act of domestic terrorism those on the ground were dancing, sharing stories of hardship, and reinforcing the ideas of local communities.

There were smaller acts of counter protesting near Damonte Ranch and Robert McQueen High School and a single instance of a bicyclist being hit. The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries the vehicle left the scene before the police arrived. The person was later found and charges were never brought against either parties.