Hundreds of students stage walkout at Pierce County high school to protest ICE
Hundreds of students at Spanaway Lake High School walked out of class and blocked traffic on Thursday, Jan. 29 to protest federal immigration officials after ICE officers shot and killed two people in Minnesota earlier this month.
The walkout came as protests escalate in intensity and frequency both nationwide and in Pierce County, following the killing of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Protestors blocked traffic outside Tacoma city hall on Jan. 27, and over a thousand gathered in downtown Tacoma on the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s second term in office earlier this month.
Students who participated in the walkout said the issue of immigration enforcement hits home for them. About 26 percent of Spanaway Lake High School students are Hispanic or Latino, and about 11 percent are English language Learners in the 2025-2026 school year, according to data from the state.
They exited school grounds and marched through the residential neighborhood surrounding the campus, toting backpacks, instrument cases and books. They were also carried signs that read “hot people melt ICE” and “no one is illegal on stolen land.”
Students took up the sidewalk throughout their route and at times blocked traffic. Some passing cars slowed down to honk in support of the students’ cause. They led chants saying, “(expletive) ICE” and missed class to participate in the walkout. District spokesperson Doug Boyles said the event was a student-organized demonstration, and those who participated received an unexcused absence.
“As a district, we permit, but do not sponsor, student demonstrations conducted in a lawful and orderly manner,” Boyles wrote to The News Tribune in a statement. “Our role is to ensure appropriate supervision on campus, protect instructional time to the extent possible, and maintain a safe and respectful environment for all students and staff.”
Senior Millicent Freeman said she wanted to participate in the walkout because she was fed up with the news she has been hearing about ICE officers deporting people.
Freeman said she hopes the walkout shows “all the Hispanic and Latino people in our community and any other individuals undocumented or not, that we stand with them, we support them, we don’t think what’s happening to them is OK,” she told The News Tribune.
Senior Oliver Coplin said he heard from his teachers that they were supportive of the students’ efforts even if they didn’t participate. He hopes that the walkout convinces adults to start paying attention and to take their concerns seriously.
“I hope that people just start to listen,” he told The News Tribune.
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 4:57 PM.
