Friday, seventh period was cold, cloudy and what would have been a normal school hour. When the bell should have sounded, it didn’t. Period 7 was extended and most students stayed right where they were—save the few who walked toward Door 9. 

Most of those making their exit were students with typical reasons to leave–appointments, flex schedules, C9, other places to go. But some walked purposefully with signs, with speakers and with each other.

Administrators and police officers met the walkers at the doors, but they did not stop them. They simply observed and directed the students to the appropriate place where students who needed to leave signed out.

The anti-ICE walkout had begun. Students leaving the building were once again met with more administrators and police officers, standing guard to maintain order and safety for all students. 

Students hoisted up homemade signs with different anti-ICE slogans and messages, including “ICE melts under pressure,” “Hot Girls Hate Ice” and “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”

Conversations about the walkout began the last week of January, when students asked administrators about finding a way to safely exercise their right to protest. On Monday, students told administrators they had a plan for Friday. When those students shared the information on social media, people outside the school community began calling for a counter protest.

Administrators and students shifted plans and organized safety protocols in response. The school schedule was changed on Thursday and Friday to reduce the number of students in the halls. Police and additional staff were on site. On Thursday, the counter protest did not materialize. But on Friday, students did walk out, even knowing that they could face disciplinary consequences.*

“I worked very hard throughout the week. I worked with students and admins to keep everyone as safe and informed as possible,” a lead organizer said. “It was an absolutely amazing process, no matter how tired I got. I am extremely proud of all the people who showed up despite all of the challenges we experienced.”

Even after social media backlash and an alleged threat against the school resulted in an arrest of an Indianapolis-area adult, about 40 students participated in the demonstration. 

“The fact that there was all the noise and threats going around only made [the walkout] more powerful,” one student who participated said. ”There were people willing to make their voices heard despite the clearly dangerous risks involved.”

The walkout lasted just over 20 minutes, featuring an introduction speech, two additional speeches, a moment of silence and announcements for next steps and organization for future demonstrations or protests. 

“I have many friends who are children of immigrants. I’m joining the demonstration to at least try and stand up for them,” one student said. “Even though ICE currently isn’t posing any direct threat to me, it has led me to fear for my friends.”

The speeches themselves were a time for students to express their concerns and opinions of ICE operations in the nation. One speaker said they spoke with their father at length before participating and writing their speech, including a quote their father gave from Robert Kennedy.

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope,” the speaker quoted. 

Speakers also talked about due process, personal experiences and the importance of speaking out about their beliefs.

“In a school like this where certain beliefs feel very prominent, gathering with other like-minded people is empowering,” another participant said. “It gives a level of support with reassurance of my values. It was a gathering to support not only each other, but all those around the country facing this threat.”

The demonstrators weren’t the only students leaving the building at the time, though. Some other students exiting heckled protestors as they passed the demonstration on the way to their cars.

”Go back inside!” one student said. “Nobody cares!” and “Preach Kings!” others said. One student walking by, looked up and said, “Pitiful.”

Despite the backlash from a few of their peers, students continued with the demonstration.

”I felt I needed to speak out even though I’m not really all that affected,” one demonstrator said. “I, along with others, don’t believe in what ICE is doing, and people need to listen.”

Organizers of the event claimed that this walkout was not the end, but the beginning. They hoped to organize a larger event outside of school hours to promote more student participation.

As one speaker at the protest stated,  “This protest is not about chaos. It is not about hate. It is about peaceful civic expression, a right protected by the First Amendment. By OUR First Amendment.”

Though the week was marked with upheaval for students and staff, Friday’s protest ended safely. By the time the bell dismissed students from 7th period and sent them to class or lunch, most students made the transition and moved on with their day.

*Because of the potential for disciplinary consequences, The Trojaneer is not identifying students who participated by name in this article, nor will photos include identifiable faces at this time.