On Feb. 13, over 1,000 H-F students participated in a walkout in protest of the actions of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Students spent sixth and seventh periods walking around the campus, playing music, chanting and dancing.
Signs such as “Immigrants Make America Great” and “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” decorated the crowd of students.
This movement comes after the deaths of both Renée Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, who were killed by ICE in Minnesota.
People across the nation started protesting, demanding accountability for ICE’s actions.
Immediately after Peretti’s death, over 300 protests took place across the country, calling for ICE’s removal.
H-F joined schools around the country in protesting ICE. Local schools such as Bloom and Bloom Township, along with Chicago schools all participated in the movement.
“It shows what we stand for,” junior Dayana Aldape said. “We’re standing with each other and not against each other.”
School administrators didn’t condemn or promote the protest, but instead kept student safety in mind.
“We don’t condone or promote any kind of political view,” Assistant Principal Craig Fantin explained. “The biggest thing is making sure we protect the perimeter of the school.”
Students also made speeches, condemning the actions of ICE and President Donald Trump’s administration.
The walkout concluded at the end of the school day, as students left the premises with the rest of their classmates.
Principal Clinton Alexander updated parents after the walkout. “We appreciate our students’ ability to express themselves thoughtfully and our staff’s support in ensuring a calm and safe environment for all,” Alexander said.
