LEOMINSTER — Hundreds of high schoolers banded together and made their voices heard during a recent walkout in opposition of ICE.
Upwards of 700 young adults — roughly 75% of the student body — peacefully protested on Friday, Feb. 6 by walking one mile from Leominster High School (LHS) to the steps of city hall. Some held homemade signs with distinctly anti ICE and anti-Trump administration messages including ‘Liberty and Justice FOR ALL,’ there was a Puerto Rico flag sign, and a clear chant rose up – “F***k ICE.”
“Causing a disturbance like hundreds of students leaving school early gets attention on the matter and shows how much young people care about what’s happening in our country,” said 17-year-old LHS junior Kai Linstruth of the walkout he participated in. “A group of students with poster in Monument Square on a Saturday wouldn’t get nearly the same amount of attention.”
The lifelong city resident heard about the plan when it was announced through an anonymous student-run Snapchat account. The information in a screenshot of the post reads “We’re protesting ICE and standing with what’s happening in Minneapolis. This is a peaceful protest. #ICE OUT #FCKICE.”
Linstruth said reports of teachers standing by the doors urging them not to leave are true.
“There were teachers at every exit yelling things like ‘you don’t want to do this,’ ‘it’s cold outside,’ and ‘it’s warmer in the auditorium.’”
A fellow junior who wishes to remain anonymous also confirmed school staff tried to stop them.
“There were some teachers blocking some of the other doors, not the main doors, but students just moved past them and they did not do anything,” he said.
That didn’t deter the students from leaving school grounds when the bell rang between fifth and six period.
“My class was right next to the door, so I got out fast,” Linstruth disclosed. “Many people made signs and kids driving away honked their horns with the windows down shouting ‘f*ck ICE’.”
“I was personally very nervous walking out,” he continued. “I’ve never gotten in trouble at school in all my years so doing something I knew would get me in trouble made me anxious, but I knew it was worth it.”
Linstruth declared they were simply following in the footsteps of people and students doing walkouts all over the country and that he heard “there were several on that same day.” He said that while he can’t speak for everyone, “I was hoping to get attention to the matter.”
“I know that the president isn’t going to see that a bunch of high school kids dislike this program and say ‘Hmm, I should abolish ICE’ but it’ll get eyes on the problem and show that it’s to the point where students are willing to miss out on education and get in trouble with the school and law.”
He’s referring to city police, who Linstruth said were “parked outside the school waiting for us.”
No one was disciplined or got in trouble – in fact, the police kept an eye on the band of students and made sure they were safe – and the anonymous junior shared that “no one was violent or disrespectful.”
“It felt really good to be a part of something like this and to help raise awareness of what ICE is doing,” he said. “I do not like ICE and what they are doing to people. People deserve to be treated better than that [and] I worry that could happen to one of my friends sometime. It felt really good to be a part of something like this and to help raise awareness of what ICE is doing.”
As of press time LHS Principal Dr. Joshua Romano and Leominster Public Schools Superintendent Robin Desmond had not responded to a request for comment.
Rumors that Sky View Middle School students were planning to do the same thing this coming Friday reached school officials, who emailed that school community to alert them and put the word out that there would be repercussions for those who participate if it ends up happening.
“We recently received online posts from students discussing and organizing a walkout of school on Friday, February 13th, during D block to protest ICE,” the email read.
“Student voice is an important part of learning and civic engagement, and we encourage students to share their perspectives through approved channels, such as student leadership roles or discussions.
“A walkout during the school day is not supported by the school. Leaving class or the building without permission creates safety concerns and disrupts the learning environment.
“Any student who participates in a walkout will be considered absent from class without authorization and will face disciplinary consequences in accordance with the handbook.
“Our priority is maintaining a safe, orderly learning environment for all students. We ask for your partnership in speaking with your child about appropriate ways to express themselves while following school expectations.”
As of press time Sky View Middle School Principal Michelle Olivari had not responded to a request for comment.
Someone posted on the Leominsterites Unite Facebook page on Monday about the proposed middle school walkout and the comments section was unsurprisingly divided. One person stated, “They’re not mature enough,” another said “What elementary/middle schooler cares about politics?? They shouldn’t at that age!” and a woman said she would “just keep them home.”
In contrast, many people voiced their support for the middle school students exercising their first amendment rights, which includes free speech and peaceful assembly. One woman commented that her son, “who is now a grown man,” attended elementary school in the city and she made her opinion about the proposed walkout very clear.
“The only talk I would’ve had with my child is I’ll meet you there and we’ll march together.”
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