In response to the current government choices, students in the Francis Howell School District organized walkouts in protest of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the impact the enforcement is having on immigrant families and communities. On Feb. 23, before sixth hour at 12:31pm, students walked to the main entrance and out the front doors. With signs in their hands, the students smiled and cheered as more and more people walked out. Eventually the students walked towards the student parking lot, gathering together, raising their signs. Many students spoke to the crowd, including senior Nuwelin Dagne. Dagne spoke about the impact of ICE on her family.
“My parents sacrificed everything to come to America, they shared an apartment with multiple other immigrants all with the same dream of building a better future for their families,” said Dagne. “I wish people understood that this isn’t just something we see on the internet, news, or in movies; this is a real issue that affects people.”
All students at FHC had the freedom to participate in the walkout or remain in class. Students who participated in the walkout were marked with an unexcused absence and received detentions.Â
