Around 30 students walked out of class at noon to protest local ICE activity on February 26. Some wore face paint, with colors from the Mexican flag. Others had red hand prints on denim vests, fists and peace symbols. Holding up vibrant signs made by Plus Club, they chanted “No more deportation. No more family separation.” This is the second walkout in two weeks.
“The fact that two separate groups of people who didn’t know each other organized protests,” junior Lapis Johnson said. “That just shows this is a big enough issue, which multiple people care about.”
In response to the first anti-ICE protest — which began at the football field and progressed to 67th street, halting traffic — principal Dr. Lisa Gruman sent an email to Northwest families on Monday conveying the repercussions students may face who participate in this walkout.
“Those activities during the school day would be considered unsafe and would not comply with the guidance that the peaceful demonstration be held in a designated place on campus with administrative supervision for safety,” Dr. Gruman wrote.
Unlike last week’s protest, Thursday’s had no communication with the school’s administration. Information about the protest was publicized through an Instagram account, @smnw.iceout, weeks in advance, with a published route that went to Shawnee Mission Parkway. Protest leaders have continued to remain anonymous, so as to prevent any disciplinary actions from administration. Many students were seen wearing masks, costumes and bandanas over their face to protect their identity.
Junior Tiffany Silva organized last week’s walkout and did not attend on Thursday.
“If I knew who the leader was, I would trust them more,” Silva said. “I just don’t know if I could trust their intentions or maybe them in general.”
Protestors from Thursday’s walkout were disappointed with the turnout.
“I think with the school emailing parents, people were discouraged to come,” senior Danny Fenton said. “But they don’t have any authority to stop us.”
When approached during lunch and passing period, students who remained in the building during this protest said they were unaware of what was happening.
“There’s a walkout today?” freshman Jayla Dolores said. “I haven’t heard anything about it.”
Despite there being fewer people than expected, for the protestors who walked out said they consider Thursday a success.
“We’re not trying to play around or skip school for fun,” a student, who would like to remain anonymous said. “We do have a reason to be out here.”
They marched from school to the corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Pflumm, jointly holding signs, or messages written on empty folders. Around 25 car honks could be heard as protestors, who were passing each other water bottles, started laying down in the hot grass.
“Even with a small amount of people, change can be made,” Fenton said. “We can’t have an ocean without this drop in the water.”
