URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — More than 100 Urbana High School students walked out of class Friday, Jan. 26, joining a nationwide day of protest to oppose actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection over the past year. Students carried signs, chanted as they marched, and said they wanted their voices heard on why a boycott of ICE mattered to them personally.
The walkout was organized by the Urbana High School Student Council in response to the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Students left the school around 11:40 a.m. and walked up Broadway to the Champaign County Courthouse Plaza, arriving shortly before noon. Along the route and at the plaza, students shared stories about their families, their fears, and the experiences that led them to support a boycott of ICE.
Victoria Lleras, the freshman class president, said the demonstration was meant to show solidarity and raise awareness. She said students felt a responsibility to speak out for those who could not. Molly Dougan, the student council’s press secretary, said many students were frustrated by what they described as ongoing abuses by ICE and believed collective action could help push for change.
Student council president Jada Wisdom said the turnout showed that even in a smaller community, students were engaged and paying attention to national issues. She said seeing classmates and teachers support the walkout reinforced the idea that students’ voices mattered. Organizers said the protest demonstrated a broader commitment by students to speak openly about issues affecting their community and the country.