On Monday, February 9th, 2025, Wauconda High School students left their classrooms right before 6th period to protest against ICE. More than 100 students participated in this protest to spread awareness of ICE and fight against all of the mistreatment of American citizens and immigrants. 

By spreading the word through both bathroom posters and online group chats, the idea quickly gained traction around Friday, February 6th.  The plan was simple: leave school and go along Main Street to protest against everything that’s happening, go in the streets and around businesses to make sure we can get as much attention as possible. With students from freshmen all the way to seniors, they proved one thing:  we are Americans, and we care about the rights of our immigrants and the people around us.

As Gen Z youth, they proved that politics are still important in modern-day society, and as a collective generation of  Wauconda High School, we care about the rights and political stands of America.  By doing this, we as a collective group of students are setting the record straight

Protesting is something that has always been controversial and always been hard to do, especially when it’s a school walkout; it can be detrimental to grades and attendance, and can be very hard to do for the average student. The fact that so many people have cared about this is so remarkable, even going as far as to reach out to ABC Chicago news and report the breaking news to the station.

They all walked out of the main office, then holding up signs and proceeding to go all out through Main Street, passing popular businesses such as Honey Hill. There was no doubt that this had already made an impact. Many chants were being shouted the whole time. The most popular being “NO TRUMP NO HATE NO FASCIST USA”, and “NO ICE”.

It was clear to anyone that this was definitely thought about. Most students came dressed in the colors red, green, white, and black. To represent anti-ICE, Palestine, Mexico, and Sudan. Bracelets were being given away, and posters were everywhere. On top of that, there were a lot of flags that covered the streets. Some on flag poles and others being held or worn. Joshua Galindo led the line all the way to McDonald’s. Spanning over 4 miles for the protest

Though some students had to leave early, a huge number of people still stayed till past 2 pm. To spread the message: We support our community and immigrants. 

This protest was not just a way to spread public distaste for ICE but was also a way to show the community and people of America that we care about each other, and we will never succumb to supporting something as malicious and evil as ICE or Trump.  Students were walking from Wauconda High School all the way to Dunkin’ Donuts in Island Lake. 

Thus, this protest has made a huge impact on the community. We, as teenagers, are doing as much as we can. And that is something to look up to and be proud of. The students who participated in this protest should all be praised, as they are doing what’s right. The amount of support given at the protest was beautiful. And everyone who came made a great choice.