On Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 9:20 a.m., hundreds of Westerville South students walked out of school in protest against ICE.
The protest was organized by students wishing to give a voice to immigrants, who they believe are often marginalized in society, and to show solidarity against the violence being perpetrated by ICE.
Several staff members and members of the police department were present for the safety of students, which was explained in an email to staff and families from South Principal, Mike Hinze.
He wrote, “Our top concern during such events is the safety of our students and staff. As standard practice when students stage a walkout, staff members were present outside to ensure participants remained safe and on campus.”
What is ICE?
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a law enforcement agency that was established following the 9/11 attacks, specifically being part of the Homeland Security Act.
ICE is a tool used by the Department of Homeland Security to detain and deport immigrants who are not in the country legally.
Why protest?
This was the question asked of students while participating in the walkout. Freshman Nyla Sheets argued that the “murders” ICE has committed, referring to Renee Good and Alex Pretti, are more than enough to spark protest in the student body.
Sheets stated, “The murder of Reneé Good and Alex Pretti shouldn’t have happened. [ICE] should not be murdering people.”
Sophomore Charles McEnery believes ICE should not get the political immunity they have received. “The fact that they can go around killing people, random civilians, random American citizens, is disgraceful to this nation,” he said.
Good and Pretti were two individuals who were shot and killed by ICE agents. Good was accused of obstruction of law enforcement, and the agent argued that she had tried to run him over.
However videos show that she was moving very slowly, or not at all, which spurred further controversy over her death on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis, MN.
Pretti was exercising his Second Amendment right to bear arms; he had a holstered weapon at an ICE protest on Jan.24 in Minneapolis, MN.
During an altercation with ICE agents, he was tackled. One agent disarmed him and came back to fire on him. According to witnesses, Pretti was shot 10 times between two ICE agents.
Both deaths have been ruled as homicides, but the agents were not prosecuted as such.
Freshman Kevin Johnson said the government should not be allowing ICE to operate the way they currently are.
Junior Gilbert Wright explained that it’s all about standing up for your community. “I think it’s very important to show up for your community. I’ve seen the news, and I’m absolutely disgusted with what this country is accepting,” Wright said.
ICE is still opening more locations across the country. Recently an Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) opened in Westerville, nearby is the ICE field office.
OPLA is the legal arm of ICE; they are the lawyers representing the DHS in prosecution cases, often sending those here legally to a country they are not from. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, since the current administration has taken office, over 70% of ICE arrests have been unlawful.
Senior Elyse Stuckey argued the protest shows everyone belongs. “I think what ICE is doing is very wrong. I think that every single person who lives in our country should be treated equally,” she said.
Freshman Luisa Altiere said the protest shows solace towards those who have been taken from their homes. “It’s so wrong to take people out of their homes for no reason, a lot of people aren’t criminals and are still getting deported and being ripped away from their family,” she said.
Sophomore Fatma Mwinyihamisi explained how protesting shows immigrants should not have to hide in their homes. “People who were born and raised by immigrants should not have to hide in their homes to feel safe. This country was built from immigrants for the freedoms and liberty of everyone,” she said.
Junior Lucas Corwin said everyone should live how they want regardless of where they live. “Everybody in, not just the United States, but the whole world has a right to live freely and happily,” he said.
These interviews were all conducted during the walkout, where several leaders gave speeches, then students walked around the building. Some in the student body believe that this was not sufficient, and they could have done more.
Commenters on social media suggested that students could protest within the city of Westerville as well.
Others believe that it went well, and all the schools combined will send a message. In his interview, Johnson said, “If this many schools are protesting ICE, then [lawmakers] will have to notice.”
