Photo by Scott Chaney Alamosa High School students Amber Freeman, left, and Itzel Armijo protest their school’s lack of recognition for Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday.

Peaceful

protest held



By MIRKO KRUSE

ALAMOSA — Seventeen-year-old Itzel Armijo quietly hoisted a sign that read, “Remember Dr. King.”

Those three words spoke large for an entire nation in remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday. Itzel, a junior at Alamosa High School, skipped lunch and third period Monday to pay tribute to Dr. King and express her grievances with school being in session.

“We should be doing things to remember him by,” she commented - events such as those Adams State College was preparing for their students like activities, lectures and presentations.

Fellow students Nathan Lawrence, Katie Trujillo and Amber Freeman among others joined her protest across the street from Alamosa High School.

Mrs. Szkalak, Itzel’s third period theatre teacher, was in full support of her cause. “It’s good to see young people stand up for what they believe in,” said Szkalak.

Itzel admitted the idea came from her brother, Donovan Armijo, a senior at Alamosa High School. Donovan was quick to point out his motives were not about getting the day off. “Some people argued that Martin Luther King Jr. would have wanted us to be in school.”

His reasons for the protest were that the school was doing little to recognize King. “We should do something as a school to pay homage to Dr. King.” Donovan believes Martin Luther King Day is not just celebrating King, but everyone who helped move the Civil Rights Movement forward. For Donovan, Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement also touched close to home because at one time Alamosa’s schools were segregated between Whites and Hispanics.

With the inauguration of our nation’s first African American president today, this year’s Martin Luther King Day holds extra importance for Itzel. “It opens your eyes a little more, to the progression of society.”

Itzel’s two-hour protest advocated for more recognition for Dr. King and his work in the Civil Rights Movement.

The question why school was still in session was asked by more than Itzel and Donovan Armijo. “I would much rather celebrate Martin Luther King Day than Columbus Day,” joked Szkalak.