South Bay student leaders called for youth involvement in civic engagement, immigrant rights and labor justice on April 24, outside San Jose City Hall.
Youth Voices Press Conference united student speakers, community organizations and local advocates to rally ahead of May Day or International Workers’ Day on May 1.
“I wanted to host an event where it is youth-only speakers, where we share our perspective on what matters to us, our stories and why we (want to) inherit a better future,” said Maria Blaze, 19, political science major and Foothill College student trustee.
Speakers addressed issues around immigration enforcement, education inequities and wealth disparities, connecting them to broader political debates before the June 2026 California primary election.
Milpitas High School junior Alice Nguyen encouraged young people to advocate for what she says are under-represented communities being threatened by President Donald Trump and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“I don’t think people in Congress or anywhere in our federal government should be 80 years old and making decisions for the youth,” Nguyen said.
Student organizers also shared their efforts to mobilize their peers.
Jonathan Soria, 17, William C. Overfelt High School junior and a leader of William C. Overfelt for the People, a student-led activist group, said his group helped coordinate walkouts across multiple high schools.
“(My responsibility is to) let our community know that we are there for them.” Soria said. “And our main goal, which is legalization for all (undocumented people).”
The Vietnamese American Roundtable and the Peace and Freedom chapter at Stanford University partnered with the Youth Voices Press Conference.
Sabrina Sail, 23, Stanford Peace and Freedom member, said she felt encouraged by youth participation and described civic engagement as ranging from community support to public demonstrations.
“Solidarity looks like communities coming together and saying we know what we want,” Sail said. “And fighting this bigger enemy … (which) are the billionaires and the right-wing.”
Oswaldo Hernandez, 19, SIREN youth fellow said community involvement does not always require direct actions but can also include forms of emotional support.
“It’s important to be empathetic with everyone,” Hernandez said. “Even if it doesn’t affect you, it may affect someone else.”
The event concluded with a banner-making session for the upcoming May Day Strong demonstrations on May 1.
“If we don’t stand up for change, then our future is going to be controlled by someone else,” Blaze said.
