Baltimore County high school student arrested for "disruptive and dangerous behavior" during walkout over ICE

A Baltimore County high school student was arrested Friday during a walkout to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the school confirmed. 

The arrest happened after a student at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology engaged in "disruptive and dangerous behavior" after the student-led walkout, according to the principal. 

Carver Principal Erin O'Toole-Trivas said the event was not a school-sanctioned event.   

Several other county schools also saw students walk out of their classrooms on Friday to protest ICE's practices in Maryland.

Earlier on Friday, the school district said in a statement, "BCPS students have the right to organize and assemble peacefully. From the perspective of school administrators and staff, ensuring student safety and minimizing disruptions are top priorities, and 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."

The student was released from police custody, officers said on Monday.  

Student arrested during walkout 

According to Principal O'Toole-Trivas, staff and school resource officers supervised the walkout at Carver. 

The protest began at 10:20 a.m. and lasted for about 45 minutes before students returned to the building, according to O'Toole-Trivas.

The principal said a small group of students did not follow the "agreed-upon parameters" and failed to return to the building. 

One of the students was arrested by Baltimore County police for leaving the campus and obstructing traffic, she said. 

"Students that violated the Code of Conduct will be subject to consequences in alignment with the BCPS Student Handbook and Board policy," O'Toole-Trivas said in a letter sent to parents. 

Maryland students hold walkouts 

Students from several schools in Maryland participated in walkouts 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' mother said she was notified about the walkout ahead of time, and that the school acknowledged students' right to peacefully assemble as long as school rules were followed. 

"My English teacher provided us posters," she said. 

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

Leaders react to student-led walkouts

Earlier in the 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."

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."