Valparaiso High School Students Walk Out to Protest ICE

More than 100 students at Valparaiso High School walked out of class on Friday to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) actions, including the recent shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens. The students, who gathered along Campbell Street, held signs and voiced their concerns about ICE’s violence and deportation tactics.

Students Speak Out

“I’m here to spread the word about the violence and murders going on,” said Kimora Rice. “We’re supposed to be a free country.” Liyah Richmond was more blunt: “(Expletive) ICE. They’re some goofies… They’re trying to deport people who might not need to be deported.”

Organizers Nicholas Lune, Natalie Ramos, and Karen Arellano were pleased with the turnout, which they said was bigger than expected. Some students who didn’t participate were concerned about violence or had classes they didn’t want to miss, but Ramos wasn’t having it: “Skipping one class won’t hurt my future.”

Administration Response

Valparaiso Community Schools Superintendent Jim McCall said the district respects students’ rights to express their views, but also expects them to follow school attendance and behavioral procedures. Students who walked out will be marked absent for that period, but Lune didn’t seem to care: he missed government class to exercise his First Amendment rights.

Counter-Protesters

Two adults wearing Trump memorabilia showed up to the scene, with one holding a large wooden cross and a sign that read, “You got Trumped.” James Ferguson, a Valparaiso resident, wore a Trump 2028 hat and said he supports deportations, calling the students’ protest an “emotional response.”