During the past couple of weeks, local high schoolers have organized student walkouts in protest of the United States Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) These walkouts are part of a statewide, student-led movement to get as many high schools as possible to participate in walkouts in protest of I.C.E. 

Federal Way High School’s walkout was on Feb. 5, and had a turnout of hundreds of students who walked out of class to protest up and down Pacific Highway near the high school. Staff members and law enforcement were present at the protest to support the safety of students who participated, although it was made clear that the school and school district did not plan or approve this walkout. 

“I want to be clear, Federal Way Public Schools and Federal Way High School are not planning, organizing, or approving this walkout. The event is student-initiated and student-led and is not a school-sponsored activity,” said Dr. Matt Oberst, principal of Federal Way High School, in a newsletter to parents ahead of the walkout. 

Dr. Oberst also maintained that students have a right to protest in that newsletter, saying, “We respect and uphold students’ constitutional rights to peaceful expression and assembly.” 

Federal Way High School’s walkout, along with other schools, has an official Instagram page (@fedagainstice) with information about how students can safely protest and any other logistics regarding the walkout.

When asked to comment on the walkout, the students who are running the page asked to remain anonymous but stated, “Our main goal for this protest was to show others that using their voice shouldn’t be scary and we are showing others how to advocate for the people in need.” 

This walkout was peaceful and full of energy, with students gathering and chanting statements like “What do we want? I.C.E Out.” Cars drove by and honked in support and even drove by with their own signs in protest of I.C.E. and various national flags hanging out of their car windows.  

In a district-wide newsletter, Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer commented on how respectful the student walkouts have been in this school district.

“I do want to take a moment to acknowledge how our students conducted themselves this week during student-led walkouts,” said Dr. Pfeiffer. “In our schools, young people demonstrated responsibility, respect for one another, and an understanding of expectations, ensuring these moments were orderly and safe.” 

Students walking by made comments like, “I feel like we’re actually doing something!” The energy was extremely positive and the political motivation of the high schoolers was palpable. 

Other high schools also organized walkouts, including Stadium (Feb. 2), Decatur (Feb. 6), and Thomas Jefferson (Feb. 9 and 10), along with schools in Seattle and numerous other school districts. 

Middle schools have also been getting involved in organizing walkouts, including Illahee Middle School, which held a walkout on Monday, Feb. 9. Around 30 kids participated, holding up signs reading “Education, not deportation,” “I.C.E out,” “My parents work harder than your president,” “The wrong I.C.E. is melting,” and many more with the same message. 

The protest created a lot of energy and the students were very excited to be there, cheering and hollering every time that a car honked for them and their cause. Juliet, a student at Illahee Middle School said, “We’re not savages, we’re not illegal, we’re not aliens, we’re human just like everyone else is, so start treating us like it.” A very powerful message. 

Organizers of @fedagainstice put it like this: “It’s important to stand up for our neighbors and our basic human rights.” These walkouts aim to do just that.