A loud murmur runs through a crowd of students, standing shoulder to shoulder. Shouts of dissent echoed through Clayton Rd. as students protested the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Feb. 10. Students held signs, colored with bright and bold letters. One message reminded passersby, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” Others stated, “This isn’t about politics — this is about humanity.” For many, the protest symbolized more than a demonstration; it was about sharing hope and working toward a collective cause.

On Feb. 5, Parkway School District Superintendent Melissa Schneider sent out a district-wide email, informing high-school parents of planned and predicted student-led walkouts across all Parkway High schools. Schneider’s email stated, “We will respect students’ free-speech rights while also maintaining our expectation that students remain in class as scheduled.” Students who diverted from this expectation and partook in the protest received an unexcused absence for the academic lab period. Additionally, student journalists were not permitted to attend the event for coverage without receiving the same consequences.

“I thought [the protest] was very peaceful. [We received unexcused absences, but] I talked to my mom about it. She thought what I did was right, and what we all did was right. She didn’t care about the unexcused absences, and she just always wants me to do what I feel is right,” senior Kamori Berry said.

Originally, the student-led walkout at West High was scheduled for Feb. 6 — a day when Parkway South High School and Parkway Central High School students held demonstrations at their respective schools. Students decided to postpone the walkout at West High to Feb. 10, however, due to the Missouri Seal of Biliteracy Testing and weather concerns. 

Even with potential consequences, more than 100 students participated in the event, which was student-led, voluntary and not sponsored or sanctioned by the school or the Parkway School District. Days before Feb. 10, student leaders created an Instagram account: @pwest_anti_ice, advertising the demonstration.

“I wanted the school and [anyone on] Clayton Rd. to know that we’re here for the students who are different from us. We are protesting because [recent ICE activity] is not even about politics anymore. It’s more so about humanity than anything,” Berry said.

Principal John McCabe was present at the protest solely as a staff member, ensuring student safety. Several police patrol cars passed by the protest, and there was internal security on campus throughout the day. Some cars that passed by on Clayton Rd. honked in support, while other drivers shouted and displayed profanities toward students.

“I hope that some people [will be able to] see what is really going on in the world. I know that everyone has their own political beliefs, but there are points where it just all comes down to whether or not it’s morally right or wrong,” junior Trent Young said. “It’s basic human rights either [being] violated or being [abused] in the process. I hope that people can finally understand that a lot of these people [being impacted] are American citizens, and at the same time, even if they aren’t, we shouldn’t be killing them and taking their children away from them. There [are] many better ways we can go about [enforcing immigration. I hope people can open their eyes [to] a better solution.”

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Max Chung

During a student walkout on Feb. 10, students walked along Clayton Rd. with signs protesting recent actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Throughout the demonstration, cars passing by had varied responses, with some honking in support and some motorists directed profane language and actions towards the students. Beyond posters, students displayed flags and wore clothing that showed their disapproval of ICE actions.“It's sad thinking about the reality that people go through, and that some of these people who [may] or may not be American citizens have to go through every day with ICE. I felt powerful, because that's something that I love to do, and I love standing up for justice and what's right,” junior Trent Young said.