Ignoring warnings and threats of suspension, dozens of St. Petersburg High School students walked out on February 5th, in protest of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). Students did this despite multiple messages from school administration discouraging participation in any unapproved campus activities on that date. The walkout, which began during fifth period and lasted the rest of the school day, brought students to the sidewalk in a demonstration that quickly drew a lot of public attention throughout the community.  The administration, needing to comply with directives from the Florida Department of Education did not approve the walkout during instructional time on Thursday, February 5th as it violated state mandates but, instead approved a time on Friday, February 6th during non-instructional time which did meet the directives from the FL DOE.

For Eve, a junior that participated in the walkout, it was too important to postpone.

“I personally am a daughter of immigrants and I’ve seen and lived through the struggles of being one. My parents may have their papers now, but people like my dad and mom’s friends are getting locked up in Alligator Alcatraz, which scares me. And what scares me even more are the murders that have happened. I don’t want that to happen to any more of my people. Because no matter the blood, everyone is considered my family.”

On Friday, February 6th, the school held a proctored on-campus protest during lunch. For the first five minutes, the demonstration was peaceful, with around 30 students gathered near the front of campus. The crowd quickly expanded to nearly 100 students, including a small group of counter protesters chanting “we want ICE,” including some yelling derogatory terms at protestors.

As tensions between the groups grew, the protest escalated to aggression.

One student who experienced aggression at the high tension protest explained why she felt it was important for her to be there:

“It’s important for us to be out here showing our support. Even if we can’t vote yet, students should still speak up, the world benefits when we all come together no matter who we are.”

Administrators shut the protest down as a physical altercation started breaking out in the center of the group, directing students quickly back to class.

Students emphasized their message is about compassion and human dignity.

“America is supposed to be a free land, a place where people can come with hope looking for a home they desire and deserve. Taking it away from them isn’t fair. Everyone is out here defending immigrants who are just trying to live their lives. We’re here fighting for love, not fighting for hate.”

Another student, Valentina, also challenged how immigrants are portrayed.

“Immigrants aren’t criminals… People move here for safety, but we label them as criminals and treat them like they’re not humans. That’s why we’re here today, because what’s happening with ICE in this country isn’t right.”

One student suggested why tensions are so high and why immigration makes people have such intense reactions.

“I think the issue of immigrants gets heated so quickly because… some people wrongfully believe that immigrants take jobs, social security, waste tax dollars, and commit violent crimes. In reality, immigration is a net positive for the country, and the media blows incidents out of proportion, creating fear and mistrust.”

By the end of the protests, students made it clear that their goal wasn’t to disrupt just for the sake of causing trouble but for recognition. 

“Everyone is human and deserves to be treated and viewed as such… Everyone just needs to have enough compassion to see that.”

The walkouts on February 5th and 6th gave students an opportunity to voice their concerns about immigration policy, while also being a difficult obstacle for the administrators in attempting to keep students safe. Students, staff, and the nearby community all felt the impact of the protests. As the campus returns to its usual routine, the walkouts stay as reminders of how students at St. Petersburg High school and across the nation are able to act on issues that matter to them.