Saline High School Students organize double ICE-OUT WALK-OUT

In the past month, students all across the nation and here in Michigan have organized protests against ICE and federal immigration enforcement actions. Statewide, coordinated actions against ICE have seen hundreds of East Lansing High School students walking out of class, Michigan State University students leading demonstrations and silent peace walks on campus, and rallies outside the Hannah Administration Building in East Lansing.

On Thursday, Saline high school students joined this list and organized a midday walkout to protest federal immigration enforcement policies. They planned to spend a few minutes rallying classmates and heading outside together. They were not expecting opposition.

The first protest started at 10:10, and was sanctioned by the administration. A group of approximately 100 students exited the school to the parking lot, listened to speakers, and held signs. Approximately 20 minutes later, students returned to class with little disruption.

The second walk-out set for 11am went differently. School officials did not approve this protest, but were made aware of it in advance. Principal Theresa Stager halted the students and organizer at the door.

The administrators warned the students that disruptions would come with consequences. “It felt like they were trying to scare people out of it,” stated one student.

School officials say the measures weren’t meant to silence anyone, but to keep the day running safely. It is unclear why the school approved one protest and not the other.

After a brief delay, the students were permitted to step outside and hear speaker Andy Armaza, a SAS junior and organizer of this event. The protest lasted about 5 minutes and was conducted peacefully.

“We have a good life; we should fight for people to have (the same) good life. The purpose of a protest is to be peacefully disruptive. We need good trouble. Without good trouble we don’t make change.” stated Armaza, “I believe it takes a bunch of small steps to make actual change.

The push and pull reflects a familiar tension playing out in schools across the country as students increasingly use walkouts to address issues such as immigration enforcement, gun violence, climate change and racial justice.

Members of the Saline School Board have voiced concerning statements regarding ICE activity in recent days. The day nurse Alex Pretti was killed in Minnesota, SAS board member and policy chair Jason Tizedes expressed his opinions on social media.

“Waltz encourages it. It’s madness. People act like ICE officers are mall cops. They are federal law enforcement,” Tizedes wrote, “You do not have the right to put your hands on a law enforcement officer.”

Alex Pretti was a nurse attending to injured protesters in Minnesota. He was fatally shot by US immigration enforcement agents after being disarmed and surrendering. The two officers involved in the altercation that led to the shooting have now been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

For many teens, walking out feels like one of the few ways to be heard.

“I just really wanted to speak up and do something. To show these people that there are those that want to help you. That will be there for you and speak up for you. I really want them to know they are not alone,” said Andy “Everyone is a person; there is no such thing as an illegal person.”

But for administrators, even peaceful demonstrations can disrupt instruction, create supervision challenges, or raise safety concerns. As a result, schools often warn of consequences ranging from unexcused absences to detention or suspension. Civil liberties advocates say that approach can discourage student participation.

Despite the hurdles, several students said they still plan to organize future demonstrations, reflecting increasing youth opposition to deportations and enforcement practices and calling for accountability, immigrant protections, and an end to aggressive ICE operations in the state.

More News from Saline

• ANNOUNCEMENT: ICE protests Thursday January 29 Two protests schedule this Thursday in Saline against ICE actions.
• Coffee Hour with Rep. Foreman this Saturday Join Michigan State Representative Morgan Foreman for a community conversation and legislative update.