DeKALB – At approximately 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday, around 150 students from DeKalb High School walked out of classes in a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
One of the organizers said information regarding when the protest would occur prior to the walkout was shared via social media, more specifically through Snapchat and Instagram.
Rita Elliott, district communications manager at DeKalb School District 428, explained that officials from DeKalb High School knew about the walkout beforehand and warned ahead of time the violations the students would be committing.
“We were aware that there was an anonymous posting,” Elliott said. “We did notify parents and students yesterday that that particular doing that would violate school code as far as attendance, so students can choose if they leave campus, but that will be marked against them as an unexcused absence.”
According to the DeKalb High School handbook, once a student reaches five unexcused absences a letter will be sent home. It is unclear if there are any further consequences.
Police were stationed around the area as the walkout was taking place. The students were not allowed to enter the high school after the walkout was over.
There were an estimated 150 students that participated in the walkout. The majority of the students were carrying signs and flags.
The signs read as “we’re not aliens, we are humans,” “immigrants make America great” and “we skipped our lesson to teach you one.”
Mattea Dixon, a freshman at DeKalb High School and one of the organizers of the protest, expressed how the youth finds it difficult to take action regarding these situations involving the government around the country.
“Since we’re kids, it’s not like we can really do anything,” Dixon said. “I feel like us coming together as a community can really just show how much we care, especially as teenagers.”
Unity was also emphasized by Jacqueline Galindo, a student at the high school.
“It’s not just Hispanics, it’s white people, Black people, like everyone united,” Galindo said.
Cadence Stober, a senior at DeKalb High School, expressed what it meant to her to have the youth come out and protest.
“DeKalb means so much to me,” Stober said. “The fact that so many young people are here in unison, honestly, just gives me so much hope for the future of our country.”
The students who participated in the walkout traveled about 3.25 miles, walking from DeKalb High School and eventually ending with the students entering Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers on 2411 Sycamore Road.
Raising Cane’s manager Caroline Mickel stated that she supports the protest.
“I support the protests and them protesting ICE because I don’t support ICE,” Mickel said. “So, it feels good to see all the youth in here.”
Police were stationed around the area as the walkout was taking place. The students were not allowed to enter the high school after the walkout was over.
