BAKERSFIELD -- Kern County students continued to protest an immigration bill by walking out of class and marching Thursday.

However, Thursday's demonstration was a shadow of Wednesday's gatherings.

Traffic was stopped along Stockdale Highway as they marched, chanted, and waved flag.

Even a handful of middle school students as young as 11-years-old walked out of class to join the demonstration.

"I'm trying to defend my family and Mexico," said Ana Cervantes from Curran Middle School.

"If Mexicans were not around, these house would be either," said Curran Middle School student Jennifer Saldana. "Lots of people don't want to build houses. Usually it's Mexicans building houses."

A crowd of 200 students converged at the courthouse to protest the anti-immigration bill.

Students were also met by frustrated residents who believe the teens are too young to fully understand the issue and are confusing it with nationality.

"This is not a racial thing," said Mark Beauchamp, who is protesting illegal immigration. "This is a law thing. America is a country of laws, and if we don't start enforcing them, we're going to be run over."

Another person protesting the protestors prompted a heated exchange.

Organizers said they're planning another demonstration on April 10.