About 200 students protested at Santa Rosa High School, where they chanted slogans like “Love trumps hate,” and held signs with similar messages in front of the school.



In Petaluma, 300 students from crosstown rivals Petaluma High School and Casa Grande High School came together to march in unity to Petaluma City Hall. Casa Grande students began with a vigil outside their school, their mouths covered in duct tape, raising their fists in a silent protest.



The Casa Grande demonstration was planned by a group called the Petaluma Student Coalition and brought together student leaders from both high schools’ Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanos de Aztlan (MEChA), Black Student Union and Queer Straight Alliance clubs.



Diana Pacheco-Garcia, a junior and co-president of Casa Grande’s MEChA club, said the walkout had been in the works since Thursday.



“We’ve seen a lot of racism going on at school,” she said. “People will say, ‘If you’re not happy about what’s going on, then get out of the country, why are you here?’ ... We just think it’s the right time to stand up and unite everyone together, especially as minorities. Racism continues, and there are these people that now feel like they have power at school due to the election, and they’re making it really hard for us to focus on our education.”

WATCH A VIDEO OF WALKOUTS IN PETALUMA



The block of students stood silently for a full hour, holding signs, flags and a large banner that read “Students Against Bigotry.”



A small group of counter-protesters stood to the side, holding an American flag and a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flag. The Casa Grande High School junior holding the American flag wouldn’t give his name, but said he was there as a Trump supporter, to stand up for what he believes in.



“I appreciate that they’re using their freedom of speech, and I understand. I respect their opinions. But I feel like I can come out here and show my opinion, too,” the student said. “Trump was the one who won. ... If they can be out here, I can be out here, too.”



Casa Grande High School Principal Eric Backman said that students who participated in the walkout will be given an unexcused absence mark.