Kirkwood High School students walked out of class at 10:40 a.m., Jan. 30, to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement, organized by an Instagram under the username of “iceoutofkwood.” Students walked down Essex Avenue and Kirkwood Road in the suburban St. Louis city , holding signs and chanting “no justice, no peace, get ICE off our streets.” Kirkwood Police followed in a car and first told them to get out of the roads, but eventually helped shut down one lane on Kirkwood Road after the crowd became too large to fit on the sidewalk.
Parents and community members observed and cheered on the student protesters as they made their way down to Kirkwood City Hall, where they stopped for around 30 minutes before finishing their route back to the high school. KHS administration stated that any students who missed class would get an unexcused absence that may result in a detention.
Student walkouts over immigration enforcement have unfolded at high schools across the country in recent weeks, as teenagers respond to reports of expanded activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. From California and Texas to Illinois and Indiana, students have left class to protest deportations and express solidarity with immigrant communities, often organizing through Instagram and other social platforms.
Editors-in-chief of the two KHS publications, The Kirkwood Call and Pioneer yearbook, were present to cover the march in Missouri and captured some of the student voices. Kate Jensen, the EIC of the Pioneer provided photos.
Kiley Huang (web story coverage for The Kirkwood Call – Photos by Kate Jensen, EIC Pioneer:)
Like any school-focused globally-aware senior-year teenager, the oncoming ICEout protests were everywhere on my social media. My friends from the West Coast were sharing Instagram posts about ICE being spotted in their neighborhoods, oncoming protests and how to stay safe during any showdowns. Articles upon articles were being reposted from reputable news outlets highlighting the most recent ICE crackdown in unassuming states, now forced out onto the worldwide stage. I saw thousands of people standing out in below-freezing temperatures, chanting with signs waving in the brisk chill. These protests seemed both close to home and miles away: a subject that hits close to every American’s heart, but seemed so far from Missouri.
That was until an Instagram account popped up, straight from our very own hometown high school in Kirkwood, called “iceoutofkwood.” Calling for people to participate in the nationwide walkout after third period, it led to hundreds of followers and comments appearing almost instantaneously. Some good comments, some bad, most hidden by Instagram’s automatic censoring feature, it seemed like suddenly all eyes were on us. I’m ashamed to admit that before even thinking about reporting on the event, I wondered if it was worth it to go as a participant and miss AP Chemistry fourth hour. It wasn’t until I was texting my friends in our usual group chat that the broadcast editor of my school newspaper brought up her own nerves about going. How many people would show up? Could we all meet up to stand with her? What’s even going to happen?
That’s when I realized how many more people probably had the same fears we did. This moment required people to take a side, to show that they would undeniably stand up against ICE. In a polarized world filled with uncertainty, it took bravery to use the rights guaranteed as Americans to civilly disobey what was supposed to be a normal school day.
I decided then, with my co-editor-in-chief and the same broadcast editor, that this story needed to be shared with the world. This was a Missouri school that, based on statistics and numbers alone, had no reason to care. But people showed up and proved that they did. The number who cared mattered more than anything that we were supposed to look like on paper or anything that we were supposed to learn in school that day (sorry, AP Chem!). That was the moment that mattered — that could create a lasting effect through our community. I spent the rest of the night planning who was going to be out in the march with a press badge, and messaging between my adviser, Mrs. Katie Meyers, and my parents and administration to get excused from class the next day.
It was unity that proved that through communication, through making an effort, through trying, Kirkwood could take a stand. I’m just grateful that I was able to help prove it.
Josie Mottl (social media coverage for The Kirkwood Call – Photos by Kate Jensen, EIC Pioneer):
I found the “iceoutofkirkwood” account two days before the protest was set to happen, after it was reposted by a classmate. The posts encouraged students to make signs at home with whatever materials they owned and to protest peacefully. After scrolling through likes and comments, I planned on attending when one of our fellow staffers reached out in hopes of obtaining a press pass for the event. After discussing the academic repercussions of walking out of class, we ensured that we knew our journalistic rights. As journalists covering the event, we knew we couldn’t actively participate, but we felt that reporting this movement would leave a lasting impact. I had never live reported for our social media page, but I figured that the buzz from the nationwide walkouts would gather some readers.
By the time third period was over, students began to migrate towards the Essex parking lot — and not only a handful, but what appeared to be around one-third of Kirkwood’s student body. Students were walking shoulder to shoulder, wrapped in coats and gloves to protect themselves from the cold. It was less than 20 degrees outside, and sidewalks were covered in snow, but trekking through two miles of polar terrain seemed insignificant to those marching.
The protest began immediately, while Kirkwood’s Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Roumpos and Principal Dr. Harrell were present in the parking lot to ensure students were safe. A few minutes later, students exited the parking lot and began marching toward City Hall. The wind was biting, but the protest was a hot commodity. As students walked down the streets, blanketed by snow, parents and neighbors lined the sidewalks with signs in support. Drivers had to halt due to the foot traffic, but honked and cheered behind their windshields. Some drivers shook their heads and looked down at their phones. I had the opportunity to be interviewed by Channel Four, which had been reporting from the sidewalks as students marched. After my interview, the crew congratulated me on my coverage and expressed their pride for me and all Kirkwood students.
As the protest turned onto Kirkwood Road, I noticed how expansive the crowd was. Students from each grade were in attendance and chanted along with peers they have never interacted with. They posed for pictures with prideful smiles and signs held high and celebrated together when civilians cheered. As they neared City Hall, I ran down the sides of the streets to snap pictures and interview protesters. Each person I talked to had a similar motivation for their attendance: “ICE is ripping apart families,” “We are a nation built by immigrants,” or “Nobody is illegal on stolen land.”
Students climbed the steps of City Hall, stumbling over a foot of snow as they organized their next chant. The street felt electrified as traffic came to a halt and bystanders applauded the young group. One woman driving by stuck her thumbs down with a snarl in front of a huddle of young boys, who retaliated by chanting “You! You! You are the problem!” She responded by touching the tips of her fingers to her forehead, chest and shoulders in honor of the Catholic Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. She mouthed “Amen” before she drove off.
One protester in the crowd began to sing the beginning of “This Land is Your Land,” and a few voices joined. Then, in complete harmony, the students sang the national anthem. Kirkwood yelled louder than I have ever heard. Even though I wasn’t supposed to participate, I couldn’t help but sing along. I sang out of respect and solidarity for my peers and because I knew I was witnessing a piece of history. All of us stood in the cold and knew that our school — along with schools nationwide — was making a difference, and I’m proud to be a part of that.
