Hoisting signs and shouting chants, students walked out of school before their second period class on Feb. 9 in protest of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Recently, ICE has received criticism for their tactics used to deport illegal immigrants, employment and training process, and alleged human rights violations. In response, students marched around the school from the Athletic Entrance to the CCA Entrance while taking stops to showcase their disapproval of ICE to oncoming traffic on Olio Road and Southeastern Parkway.
“I have a lot of family and friends that are greatly affected by the state of the government right now,” sophomore Samantha Mallov said, “so I wanted to feel like I’m doing something.”
Several students stated their reasoning behind protesting was to make a difference and have their voices heard. Even though the school does not endorse the walk out, students proceeded to take an unexcused absence to advocate for change. For others, the issue is rooted deeper than the surface.
“It’s not a matter of immigration anymore,” junior Armond Fries said. “It’s not a matter of political stance. They have killed American citizens.”
Throughout history, student voices echoing politics have gone unheard or been dismissed, such as human rights or anti-war protests. However, principal Dr. Craig McCaffrey trusts his students know what they stand for.
“I disagree with anyone that says high school students are not old enough to understand,” McCaffrey said. “By the students I’ve experienced here and the students I’ve talked to they’re definitely more knowledgeable about the world than any other generation.”
Students take rigorous classes and are put in situations to experience life as an adult. Despite the negative connotation young individuals receive when associated with politics or other serious topics, students choose to attempt to change the narrative.
“I think civic engagement is one of the best things the students can do,” junior Deacon Tebbe said.
McCaffrey encourages students to continue to push for involvement and intellect. For example, he suggests students advocate for the youth to vote by hosting a voter registration drive.
Whether it is a student protest or a voter drive, individuals can push for what they believe in at any age. Other schools like Noblesville High School and Fishers High School have also participated in an ICE walkout.
“For hundreds of people,” Fries said, “hundreds of students to come out here and show their support and exercise their first Amendment rights, petition against the government, I think it’s extremely powerful. And I hope we set a precedent for more schools to follow.”
This walkout was not just a demonstration of protest, but a showcase of togetherness and support. Even outside of the protest, students showed love to one another through social media and uplifted their fellow Royals, which was made a priority of the ICE walkout.
“If we don’t have love, we don’t have anything,” senior Ava Renzulli said.
