Following the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids and policies, thousands of Southern California high school and middle school students across the San Fernando Valley participated in walkouts and anti-ICE protests.

North Hollywood High School—home to 2,500 students ranging from all backgrounds and ethnic groups—gained notable activity as they marched down Magnolia Blvd, stopping at the North Hollywood Recreation Center then further down towards Lankershim Blvd.

Students chanted through the streets and held signs with slogans such as “Abolish ICE,” “Education not deportation,” and “Missing out on my lessons to teach you one.” Students from local schools including Walter Reed Middle School, and Oakwood School (Secondary Campus) joined them in their protest in support of immigrant communities.

Despite coming from separate campuses and different age groups, students all shared something in common—they want to stop living in fear and reclaim the power in systems that are continuously failing them.

Organizers Zaileen Piña, a junior at Birmingham Community Charter High School’s virtual academy and Jazlyn Galdamez, a senior at Valor Academy High School originally promoted resources for families affected by ICE raids through a joint instagram account, @valley.walkouts.

Just recently, Piña and Galdamez worked towards a new project, organizing walkouts for more than 100 schools across SoCal on Feb. 6, 2026.

Quickly gaining attention, students were encouraged to promote their schools walkout, and participate in the protest on behalf of their community and in honor of the hundreds of victims currently being emotionally and physically affected.

In attempts to redirect the discussion of immigration policy, NHHS administrations promoted events on campus such as “Eyes Wide Open,” and the “We Are One” campaign, which allowed students to participate in healthy conversations and exercise their freedom of speech.

While the event had a mild success, students were not satisfied and wished to advocate further beyond on campus. Despite administrations reinstating the action of leaving campus during instructional time without permission to be discouraged, the message was promptly for safety rather than suppressing speech.

Parents were then notified of the acknowledgement regarding the walkout, reminding families that students would be marked absent for missed periods. And while they are encouraged to remain on campus, administrators would still allow students to return if they felt unsafe at the protest.

The day prior to the walkout, teachers had expressed their support and offered safety tips, with some handing out small red cards reminding students of their rights and what to do in case of an interaction with ICE agents.

The morning of Feb. 6th, students waited for the nutrition bell at 10:40, crowding towards the door in preparation to leave altogether with posters raised, whistles in hand, flags waving, cultural clothing and jerseys on display, with pride leading the way.

NHHS had a special feature from their drumline, who played their well known pep tune, “Thunder” throughout the protest.

Students are constantly underestimated—dismissed as too young or uninformed to create change. But together, the younger generation is capable of achieving almost anything. Students marched approximately 2.5 miles, with some going the extra 5 miles towards the Van Nuys City Hall.

Across 85+ schools, nearly 12,500 students were reported to have participated in their schools walkout.

NHHS students gathered outside the Van Nuys City Hall, where they were joined by students from Cleveland, Van Nuys High and Middle school, Panorama, and various others.

With the help of mutual aid organizers, participants had access to a poster making station, and were provided with free lunch, snacks, and water bottles. Additionally, student organizations created a station specifically for distributing know-your-rights information. Students bonded over similar passions, supported local street vendors, and danced to cultural music played by one of the attendees.

Student leaders and volunteers worked together in regards to crowd control, reminding participants to stay off roads and remain peaceful. For the most part students were successful despite the heavy presence of federal agents and officers.

In the end, the protest stood as a testament to the strength and unity of student voices. Despite intimidation and obstacles, students remained peaceful, organized, and determined. By coming together, they proved that youth advocacy is not only present across the valley, but powerful enough to demand attention, solidarity, and change. Young voices matter—and they will continue to stand up for those who cannot.