Yesterday during sixth period, students all over the district left their classrooms to assemble on the concrete by the parking lot. The majority wearing black and holding posters, the students led a peaceful walkout expressing their indignation toward the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“I just feel like I just see so many things on the internet, and I just feel so stuck, like I can’t do anything,” senior Anna Bauer said. “I feel like I’m just some kid, and I’m watching terrible things happen, and I just want to be able to do something. And even though this is just some little walk out, at least it feels like I’m doing something and not just sitting back and letting things just escalate.”
Freshman Mason Walker, Aleeza Amir and sophomore Ismael Estrada spoke during the walkout, telling stories of personal connections to ICE and leading chants to unite the crowd of students gathered.
“I hope that people remember that [they] can use their voice and express themselves, and it’s always okay to try,” Walker said.
Recently, there was a first attempt at this walkout, however, it was not widely publicized. This time around, administrators were notified and outside for security. Students participating in the walkout were marked absent for that class period, and names of these students were written down for added security and accountability. Additionally, information for all three high school walkouts were posted on the Students for Francis Howell Instagram page to increase involvement.
“Our conversation with administration was reducing the punishment of walking out of school and leaving,” Estrada said. “[After talking] they said that the punishment would just be an unexcused absence instead of truancy.”
This walkout will be the second in the past three years to occur at North. In 2024, a walkout was held in a similar fashion to protest the removal and curriculum change of the black history and literature courses in the district. Peaceful student organization gives students an outlet to voice their opinions in a space where they feel heard.
“A lot of people just sit back and let things happen, but I don’t want to stand for just letting things and injustices happen to people that don’t deserve them,” Walker said.
