Lee County students protest ICE activity amid mixed reactions

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. —

Students at North Fort Myers High School in Lee County protested against recent ICE activity, with some students expressing fear and others showing support for the demonstration Friday.

This comes after hundreds of students from Mariner High School and Ida S. Baker High School in Cape Coral walked out of class Thursday.

A mother of a student with special needs reported that the school's secretary confirmed students were given the option to either protest outside or stay inside their classrooms. Her son messaged her from class, expressing fear about being at school.

Joseph McDonald, a student, said, "There's probably about over a thousand kids. Everybody was there, and faculty and staff didn't really try to stop it. They just let it happen. And if it stayed 'til two, they said that they were going to start expelling kids."

Jaden Chason, another student, shared his experience, saying, "I'd say before six period. And, we all kind of walked around the school protesting. We were saying what we feel. And, it's a great thing — my buddy, who is an immigrant, his story, he feels very passionately about it. And I just feel like his voice should be spoken as well."

Students protested against ICE during their lunch periods until the end of the school day. However, some students opposed the anti-ICE protests but wanted to leave class to see what was happening.

McDonald described the scene, saying, "So basically there was a huge protest going on and like people were trying to fight and stuff against it and hopped the fence and it was all pretty crazy. But I'm like, I'm against it."

Christian Lopez, who learned about the walkout during first period, decided to participate. He said, "So I really think that it's terrible that so many young people and old people are being taken away from their home and family, and that now I have so much hope for the future, for future voters and kids that really seem like great people. And I think that the future of America's in great hands."

Paula Flaherty, a parent, expressed her disapproval, stating, "I did not want my child to be part of this. If they want to be part of this, go do an essay and tell us what it's all about. That's what the school system should be doing. This is not okay."

Another parent mentioned that her daughter, an athlete at North Fort Myers High School, was advised not to participate in the protests.

"Today, some students again engaged in protests related to President Trump’s immigration policies. While we respect students’ constitutional rights to free expression, our schools exist for one primary purpose: education. Disciplinary action is being strictly enforced for all students involved in creating disruptions or other violations of the Student Code of Conduct," the School District of Lee County said in a statement. "The vast majority of our students did not participate in the protests and kept focused on their education. Furthermore, any staff members found to have participated in or encouraged these actions will be held fully accountable under district policy. We expect that all students will remain engaged in learning and follow school rules so that our campuses continue to be respectful, secure places for everyone."

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