Chants echoed down Rossmore Avenue on Friday afternoon as more than 400 Marlborough students joined in on a nationwide movement of protest. Carrying signs reading “I like my ICE crushed,” “Love melts ICE” and “Democracy means dignity,” students joined thousands of protesters across the country calling for an end to Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. Leading chants of “Hey-Hey, Ho-Ho, ICE has got to go,” students marched together, extending their protest well beyond the school day.
Even after their 3 p.m. dismissal, which was already over their allotted time given for the walkout, many students continued marching along 3rd Street, moving through Larchmont and down Arden Street. Their chants were met with loud car honks, cheers and raised fists from passersby, reinforcing a sense of community-wide support.
The walkout took place amid heightened outrage over immigration raids across Los Angeles and the ICE crackdown in Minneapolis, where two U.S. citizens, Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, were killed this month. Across the nation, protesters planned for a general strike against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, urging Americans to refrain from working, attending school or shopping. In LA alone, students from dozens of schools walked out, with thousands more protesting downtown, demonstrating citywide solidarity.
At Marlborough, the walkout was a tangible way for students to participate in political activism.
“I feel like we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves and we’re able to feel like we’re making a difference in our society,” an 8th grader said. “I think it’s really important to be out here so that we can keep our loved ones and community safe for more generations to come.”
The walkout followed Marlborough’s Spirit Week, the widely-loved tradition heightened by enthusiasm for elaborate dances and performances. Even amid the demanding schedule of the week, many students took time to advocate for a walkout to the Marlborough administration. In support, Marlborough helped organize the walkout, sign-making and postcard writing to elected representatives, providing ways for students to advocate for their beliefs. While some students criticized the School for doing “too little too late,” others saw the effort as a step in the right direction.
“The fierce passion we demonstrated reminded me that regardless of privilege or the extent to which we are directly affected by the [Trump] administration, we all have a responsibility to speak out and advocate for those who can’t,” a 12th grader said.
Many students also described the protest as an important moment of solidarity within the school community, particularly given its location in Los Angeles, where ICE and the Border Patrol set a new daily record of 50 incidents on Wednesday, according to LA Taco.
“I feel supported, and the whole community coming together is so important, especially because we go to school in the heart of LA and the Latino population really needs representation right now,” a 10th grader said.
