After national movements against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), students across Mansfield ISD organized walkouts Feb. 12. At 1:20 p.m., the passing period before eighth period, about 50 students walked out of the school with posters in hand. 

Students met at the corner of North Main Street to begin their walk. Organizers communicated the predetermined route to participants through social media. On Instagram, there was one central page for all of MISD as well as individual pages for some schools. 

Sophomore Juan worked as a primary organizer for Legacy’s walkout.

“This demonstration means that we will not keep ourselves quiet about stuff like what ICE is doing,” Juan said. “Our primary reason for organizing this walkout is to show that we are one, and you can’t silence us.”

Students walked along North Main Street, Pleasant Ridge and North Walnut Creek until they reached the meeting point, Katherine Rose Memorial Park, which is 1.5 miles or a 30-minute walk from campus. While walking, the students held signs and chanted against ICE’s actions.

“I actually hope that this doesn’t impact our school because I feel like we will be targeted by other students who support ICE,” Juan said. “I do hope that this impacts our community because I want them to know that their voice matters, and you can rise up to proudly say your beliefs.”

Mansfield ISD sent out a ParentSquare notification to all Mansfield ISD parents at 1:57 p.m. informing them that small groups of students left campus to participate in the organized walkout. The notification also said campus staff responded according to “guidance Mansfield ISD received from TEA.”

“ICE is ruining America,” an anonymous source said. “America was built on immigrants, built on the slave labor. [The walkout] isn’t for anyone except our own people. We are allowed to protest for our views that we believe in.”

Students who left during the instructional school day received an unexcused absence and may be subject to disciplinary action, in accordance with Texas Education Agency’s released guidelines about student walkouts. MISD officials notified students of these consequences through morning announcements over multiple days, and parents were also notified via ParentSquare. Part of the parent message included that “campus administrators and school resource officers will remain focused on supervising students who remain on campus” while ensuring a safe and orderly learning environment. 

Senior Rainer Cheek did not participate in the walkout.

“After school, I had test corrections, and I had a commitment to be at the golf course,” Cheek said. “Although I believe that peaceful protests such as these are very important to our system of government, it’s just not an ideology I’m passionate about or subscribe to. Nevertheless, it’s important that people our age become more involved in politics, no matter what their beliefs may be.”

Unexcused absences for students who chose to walkout may impact exam exemption eligibility, UIL participation requirements, including athletics and fine arts and academic expectations related to missed work.

“Also, even though ICE is a necessary organization in order to maintain domestic tranquility, as stated in the Constitution, bureaucratic organizations like ICE need to be held accountable for their actions,” Cheek said. “For example, reports of deportations of legal, naturalized citizens and poor treatment of migrants held in ICE custody worry me.”

Parent volunteers also walked with the students and met them at the park in support. They were encouraged by the planning accounts to bring water and first aid kits for the students, as well as support to keep them safe on the streets. Leta York walked with her daughters in the protest. 

“It’s our first protest together, so that’s really awesome,” Ms. York said. “I’m so proud of them because both of them are beautiful human beings who thankfully understand the importance of human rights. I’m just so glad they want to be part of this movement.”

Approximately 250 students across the district participated in walkouts, including about 50 from Legacy. Senior Annalise White participated in the Legacy campus walkout.

“I’m here because I think this affects all people,” White said. “It isn’t about just one person. It isn’t just about race; it’s about everyone uniting and being together, and if Jesus says love thy neighbor, then you should love them and you should protect your people. I think that the president should protect his people.”

As stated in the ParentSquare notification, MISD values student voice and respectful expression while maintaining a strong focus on safety and uninterrupted learning. The goal of the walkouts was to make an impact in a non-violent, respectful way. 

“I would like to thank everyone who showed up to protest because without them, we wouldn’t have gotten this message enough attention,” Juan said. “I would also like to thank any parent who helped us and every kid that joined us.”

Gallery • 3 Photos

Photo by Rhys Riddle

Sophomore Juan leads the walkout from Legacy as the students walk down North Main Street. The walkout began Feb. 12 at 1:20 p.m.

This is an evolving story. For more information on walkouts in Texas public schools, visit The Wolfpack or The Roar.

Jordyn Green and Kati Waguespack contributed to this story.