Thousands of students across the US have been walking out of their schools to protest ICE in their communities
O
ver the past six months, thousands of students have been walking out of their schools in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) presence in their communities. Some of their schools supported the protests; some didn’t, threatening disciplinary action. Other schools stayed neutral out of fear of inviting unwanted attention to vulnerable immigrant students.
The Guardian spoke to seven teenagers who led or participated in school walkouts. Many said their organizing went beyond leaving class, extending to checking social media for suspected ICE sightings, distributing “know your rights” materials and making political posters. All were resolute about the need to protest against ICE regardless of any risk – and whether or not they got support from the grownups around them.
Nathalie, 17, whose family didn’t want to give their last name out of fears for their safety, planned their Wisconsin school’s walkout on 30 January. Beforehand, Nathalie sent an email to teachers saying they were welcome to join the students, but the students were not asking for permission.
