Nearly 200 students at Cedar Park High School walked out of class on Wednesday morning, joining a national movement against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Students walked from the high school to Cedar Park City Hall.

The protest, organized by students, comes less than a month after the public deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Students at schools across Texas have also held walkouts of their own, including Austin ISD, Pflugerville ISD and Hays CISD.

Junior Quinn Twellman used her social media platform to promote the protest and encourage other students to participate. Twellman said she hopes people will realize that the youth is not going to sit by and let these moral injustices continue to happen. 

“I decided to take part in the walkout as I believe it is incredibly important to use my voice and speak up for those who cannot and fight against injustice and oppression,” Twellman said. “I want them to [know] that we will not tolerate the current behavior of ICE and will continue to use our voices to speak out.”

Students exited the school, walking east along Cypress Creek Road. Junior Cassy Knuth was also among the protestors and said her choice was democratic and protected by the U.S. Constitution.

“Every story I hear or read about ICE’s unlawful tactics is personal to me,” Knuth said. “Every person getting detained, deported and mistreated while following the law is something I simply cannot stand for, especially because they are doing the process correctly and still being punished for it.”

For some students, including junior Sam Hernandez, joining the protest is personal. Hernandez blames President Trump for increased hate against immigrants. 

“It hurts that [immigrants] are treated like criminals when we have one in office,” Hernandez said. “The days of American hospitality and love towards other people with the intention of helping them is gone.”

The protestors state that they are against illegal house invasions that ICE has conducted without judicial warrants and the illegal deportations of legal citizens. 

“I hope Trump will accept the demands he’s met with,” Hernandez said. “I feel like we need to inspire people to not be afraid of protesting things that violate our rights as Americans and as humans.”

In addition to the mass group of student protestors, multiple bystanders were on the other side of the street, cheering students on, along with them.

The walkout at Cedar Park comes one day after the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released official guidance reminding schools and educators that they must remain politically neutral during school hours and that encouraging or facilitating walkouts could lead to consequences. Students who leave campus for protests during class will be marked absent and subject to disciplinary procedures as well.

“Today, in classrooms across Texas, tomorrow’s leaders are learning the foundational, critical thinking skills and knowledge necessary for lifelong learning, serving as the bedrock for the future success of our state and nation,” the statement by the TEA said. “It is in this spirit that school systems have been reminded of their duty and obligation to ensure that their students are both safe and that they attend school, with consequences for students for unexcused absences.”

Gallery • 8 Photos

Allie Tseng

Holding up a sign high above her head, a parent offers protestors food and water.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has publicly criticized other public school walkouts across the state, including ones in Austin ISD on Jan. 30. In a tweet, the governor condemned AISD walkouts.

“AISD gets taxpayer dollars to teach the subjects required by the state, not to help students skip school to protest,” Abbott said in his tweet. “Our schools are for educating our children, not political indoctrination.”

AISD leaders responded online to Abbott, clarifying photos seen of a district police vehicle near student protesters was for safety reasons, not as an escort.

Leander ISD and Cedar Park High have been careful in their response to today’s protest. In a message to parents and students yesterday, Principal John Sloan made it clear that today’s protest is not organized, sponsored or endorsed by the district or the school. 

“We cannot prohibit students from engaging in lawful expression of their views,” Sloan said. “Allowing students to make their own choices should not be interpreted as the school taking a position on the issue involved.”

Sloan’s message also said students engaging in disruptive or unsafe behavior may be subject to disciplinary action, citing the LISD Student Code of Conduct.

“Civic learning occurs through curriculum and guided discussion, and we remain committed to empowering students through discourse, inquiry and critical thinking in a classroom setting,” Sloan said.

These walkouts reflect a moment where students who oppose ICE want to use their voices to bring attention to their concerns. At the same time, school systems and state authorities are balancing students’ rights to express views with laws regarding attendance and neutrality in public education. 

Junior June Ferguson, one of the primary protest organizers, shares her thoughts on what she hopes students will take away from today’s events. Ferguson also voices that exercising rights isn’t just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. 

“When this protest is over, I hope people will remember one thing: the youth are rising, and we refuse to stay silent,” Ferguson said. “The turnout today proves how many of us care; now it’s time for those in power to act. Real change starts when they stop ignoring our voices and start listening. 

Ferguson also acknowledged those opposed to today’s protest and said her concerns around immigration enforcement are beyond political.

“This isn’t about left or right, it’s about basic human dignity,” Ferguson said. “These aren’t political positions to debate; they are fundamental rights that no person should have to justify. If we can’t agree that protecting innocent people from harm transcends ideology, then we’ve lost sight of our shared humanity. This isn’t a difference of opinion—it’s a moral obligation.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.