Hundreds of Maryland students protest ICE operations with school walkouts

Students at several Maryland high schools participated in walkouts on Friday to make their voices heard and speak out against ICE operations locally and nationwide.

"I see how ICE has been affecting our communities, and how much families are hurting over this," said Nihal Ali, a senior at Perry Hall High School.

Perry Hall High School senior Emoree Wockenfuss was among the students who participated in a peaceful walkout on school property.

"It's so disheartening how you can be a different skin color or talk a certain way, and you get characterized and put in a box," Wockenfuss said. She added that she has seen images of people being removed from their homes, jobs, and businesses--- calling it an issue that affects communities across the country.

Wockenfuss's mother said she was notified ahead of the walkout was planned, and that the school acknowledged students' right to peacefully assemble as long as school rules were followed. 

"My English teacher provided us [with] posters," she said. 

1 arrested during student-led protest in Maryland

At George Washington Carver Center for Arts & Technology, a student-led walkout also took place on Friday morning. In a letter sent to families, Baltimore County Public Schools said the walkout was not a school- or system-sanctioned event but was supervised by staff and a school resource officer to ensure student safety.

According to the district, one student was arrested after leaving campus and obstructing traffic, while other students remained peaceful.

In a letter sent to parents of Carver students, BCPS wrote that: 

"Most of the students who participated in the walkout conducted themselves appropriately during this time.  A small group of students chose not to follow the agreed-upon parameters and did not reenter the building.  Unfortunately, one student engaged in disruptive and dangerous behavior and was arrested by Baltimore County police for leaving campus and obstructing traffic. Students that violated the Code of Conduct will be subject to consequences in alignment with the BCPS Student Handbook and Board policy."

"Our school is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students, and we will continue to work together to ensure that our students feel heard, respected, and valued," a BCPS spokesperson wrote.

"They're following what's going on nationally, and through that knowledge and learning experience, they are responding to it," said Israel "Izzy" Patoka, a Baltimore County councilman.

Earlier this week, the Baltimore County Council approved the 'Trust Act' in a 4–3 vote, tightening restrictions on cooperation with ICE and creating an Office of Immigrant Affairs in the county.

"We are going to do what we can in Baltimore County to protect our residents, reduce fear, and increase due process," Patoka said. "It's great to see these students responding in a collaborative effort."

Maryland Delegate Nino Mangione criticizes school walkouts

Students at Baltimore City College High School held a walkout of class on Thursday afternoon to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. They are calling on state leaders to pass legislation limiting ICE practices in Maryland.

The walkout was organized by Students Organizing a Multicultural Open Society, also known as SOMOS. Organizers said the demonstration was intended to draw the attention of state and federal lawmakers.

Dozens of students marched from their temporary classroom location at the University of Baltimore campus to Pearlstone Park, carrying signs and chanting along the way.

"Cuidado con el hielo, which means 'Watch out with ICE,'" said Danny Escober, a substitute teacher at Baltimore City College High School.

Student and former Baltimore City Schools student commissioner Dylan Rooks said the demonstration brought together students from different backgrounds.

"Different classes, all over, from different religions, races, they're fighting all as one, and we're coming together as one to fight for our rights," Rooks said.

State Republican Del. Nino Mangione criticized the walkouts. In a letter to BCPS leaders, Mangione said that "these activities should be reserved for outside the school system."

Some students, however, said speaking out at school was the right thing to do.

"It's good to see that we're all working together for a greater cause," said a student identified as Ali. "It feels like we're changing history."

What sparked the walkouts?

Students said the walkout was prompted by months of what they described as deadly violence from federal agents in Minneapolis, as well as broader concerns about immigration enforcement.

"This whole ICE situation, it's just a huge lack of humanity, as it says on our poster," said Keira Thompson, a student at Baltimore City College High School.

Students called on legislators to ban collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE and said they were standing in solidarity with their peers and families.

"My dad, his mom immigrated from Cuba, and he's of Cuban descent," said Isabella Robinson, a student at the school. "And I feel as though that this is not fair at all, and all of this is happening due to a lack of knowledge."

Tylea Booker, a SOMOS member and City College student, said the demonstration matters even if the impact feels small.

"I fully believe that this is making a difference, no matter how small," Booker said.

The right to peacefully assemble

In a statement to WJZ, a spokesperson for City Schools wrote: "Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) students are exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression, petition, and peaceful assembly. Hundreds of students from several schools chose to participate in a peaceful protest on Thursday related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)."

"While this activity was not organized or sponsored by the district or individual schools, school leaders worked closely with City Schools Police and Baltimore City Police to prioritize student safety by establishing designated spaces and safe passage for participating students," the spokesperson wrote.

Baltimore County Public Schools wrote in a statement to WJZ that students have the right to organize and assemble peacefully. 

"If a student decides to participate in a walkout or demonstration, they would need to do so in a safe manner that is in alignment with any guidance and rules provided by school leadership," a BCPS spokesperson wrote. "Generally, students would not receive disciplinary or academic consequences for participating in a walkout.  Now, if during or even immediately following the walkout they engaged in behavior that is in direct violation of the Student Handbook, the school would provide appropriate consequences."

Calls to Maryland lawmakers

Students are urging the Maryland General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 0001 and House Bill 0155, which would end the practice of ICE agents wearing face coverings.

"I am able to use my voice," Booker said. "I will say that to give people who don't have a voice or who are trying to be silenced a voice, and immigrants are the foundation of our community, and I mean that wholeheartedly."

Students also said they want lawmakers to pass multiple bills restricting collaboration between teachers and administrators and ICE, as well as prohibiting detention facilities in their neighborhoods.

"We need to be better, just as a community," Thompson said.

Organizers said they hope their message reassures immigrant students and families.

"You are wanted, you are a full part of this community, no matter how old, young, age, ability, class, whatever, however you identify, you are here because you belong here," Booker said. "And anybody's trying to take you away is in the wrong. You are not the problem in any way, shape nor form."