What started as a text chain among friends turned into a rally at San Jacinto High School Thursday afternoon, Sept. 7

About 200 students gathered on the softball field during the school’s sixth period to chant and sing and hear speeches concerning President Trump’s plans to potentially phase out a program that protects immigrants without legal status who came to the United States as children.

San Jacinto Unified School District Spokeswoman Dawn Lawrence told the crowd that the first action of the board in the new school year was to reaffirm the district as a safe haven for all students.

Students at San Jacinto High School march from the parking lot to the softball field during a DACA rally. pic.twitter.com/hdgYupsj51 — Frank Bellino (@PE_Bellino) September 7, 2017

“Our Board of Trustees believe in you,” Lawrence said. “This is a safe place for you to receive your high school education.”

They were encouraged to write Congress to assure their status in the country and told not to give up their dream of a better life after fears arose that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals could be discontinued.

San Jacinto Councilman Alonso Ledezma, himself an immigrant, told the students that they are heroes to him.

“They’re looking at a bright future, they’re asking for an opportunity for a bright future,” he said after his short message.

When the rally ended about 2:30 p.m., five students stood in the school’s quad, holding an American flag and a sign supporting President Trump.

“I’m sharing the message of freedom,” said Alexander Castillo, a 17-year-old senior at San Jacinto and one of the five.

Castillo said he has an issue with attitude — not nationality — and anyone who disrespects the United States should leave.

“As long as you come here legally and you support this country, I’m fine with you,” he said.

The immigrant rally coalesced after a group of friends, including Daniela Miranda, Muyiwa Aina and Alejandra Aguillar, were texting about the president’s statement Tuesday. They decided they wanted to something to show their concerns and had considered a walkout.

“When I heard about what was happening, I knew my friends were into standing up for what’s right,” said Miranda, a 17-year-old senior. “We wanted to do something about it.”

Miranda was born in the United States of immigrant parents.

“It doesn’t affect me, but it affects a lot of my friends,” she said of Trump’s announcement.

“We’re here to be the voice of those who are not,” said Aguilar, also a 17-year-old senior who was born in the United States.

School administrators got word of the plan and worked with the students to allow them to rally within the confines of the school. Representatives of TODEC, a Perris-based organization that supports immigrant communities, also assisted.

“We wanted to make sure it was a peaceful event,” TODEC’s Luz Gallegos said. “We want them to know their rights but also know their responsibilities.”

Students made posters during the two lunch periods then marched a bit from the parking lot to the field chanting “no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”

“I didn’t think this many people would show up,” said Aina, a 16-year-old senior. “I thought it would just be our friends.”

Miranda is hoping that more rallies or assemblies can be held to help immigrant students.

“We want them to know were there for them,” she said.

San Jacinto was the first school in the area to have such a rally, Gallegos said.

“We want this school to be a model,” she said. “We’re working together in a civil and nonviolent way.”