Students across the country are holding walkouts during school protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s aggressive methods. Even locally, Livonia Stevenson and Monroe High Schools held their own walkouts, and Farmington High School students are no different.
Farmington Hills Unity (FHU), a local protest group started by students, called for students to walk out of the Auditorium doors at 9 a.m. on Feb. 10, which was advertised in an Instagram post. Approximately 300-350 students joined the protest.
“We’re here protesting ICE and the actions they take, disappearing members of our communities,” freshman and member of FHU leadership Vanessa Meissner said. “It’s important we draw attention to this. If all we do is call, we’re never going to get the public’s attention.”
Students whose views align with those of FHU united to stand up for what they believe in by exercising their First Amendment rights to protest. The students chanted on their way out, using phrases like “No justice, no peace, get ICE off our streets.”
“I’m here to fight against ICE the way I know how, by joining protests and getting involved in my community,” senior Finn Livingstone said.
Approximately 50 signs were made by FHU leadership during a meeting at the Farmington Community Library to hand out to protestors, but many students brought their own signs.
“I strongly believe that no one is illegal on stolen land, and nothing is more powerful than love,” junior protestor Layla Hill said (pictured on the left). “Honestly, we haven’t had a lot of that these days, so maybe this is something to bring that back.”
Farmington Public Schools learned of the plans to walk out, and an email to parents was sent on February 6th, which acknowledged students’ rights to peaceful protest and informed families that exceptions to attendance rules will not be made.
“Students who are not in class will be marked unexcused,” Director of School Safety and Athletics Allyson Robinson said in the district-wide email. “Consequences related to an unexcused absence will be issued. In addition, for safety and security reasons, students who leave the building/campus will not be permitted to reenter during the school day.”
The school district wasn’t the only group of people worried for student safety—parents were concerned as well, with a few joining students during the walkout.
“I am here to support our kids at this school, because the school isn’t supporting our kids, which is very upsetting to me,” FHS parent Kelsey Picot said. “I think it’s important, because we’ve seen from other high schools that have done this that people who disagree get upset, and I think we need adult presence to make sure that our children are safe.”
The emphasis on student safety comes from altercations between students or bystanders, such as those in Kansas and Texas, or with police, such as the incident in Pennsylvania.
The walkout was considered a success by the FHU. A few days later, they made an Instagram post detailing how proud they were of the community showing up when it mattered most. With the buzz of a successful protest still in the air, they are planning on organizing another one soon.
