Bellevue High School Protests ICE

Photo from Unsplash

This February, Bellevue students organized two separate walkouts protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The movement began on social media, where students shared plans, coordinated meeting times, and encouraged peers to participate.

The first walkout took place on Wednesday, February 4th at 11:25 a.m. Students left campus holding handmade signs opposing ICE’s practices. From there, they walked to the 249-bus stop on 108th Avenue, traveled to the Bellevue Transit Center, and transferred to the B Line toward Redmond’s Crossroads Park.

At Crossroads Park, students from Sammamish High School, Interlake High School, and Big Picture School joined the protest. Together, they gathered peacefully to demonstrate their concerns regarding ICE policies and immigration enforcement.

When a Student from Bellevue was asked why they felt obligated to speak up about ICE’s policies, the student said, “Families are being torn apart because of ICE. I know countless kids who don't feel safe attending school anymore, a community they once went to receive education now dangerous. I see people daily online being racially profiled and harassed by men in masks. ICE is a corrupt program with flawed systems and needs to be stopped immediately.”

The student’s statement reflected a broader concern shared by many participants at the rally. Throughout the afternoon, students chanted, shared personal stories, and emphasized the impact of immigration enforcement on families in nearby communities. While the protest remained peaceful, it sparked conversation across Bellevue about student activism, school safety, and the role of ICE in local communities.

School administrators acknowledged the demonstration and reminded students of attendance policies, while also emphasizing students’ rights to express their views respectfully.

The second walkout occurred on Tuesday, January 10th at 11:46am. Students online organized a separate on-campus walkout through social media, with activities such as sign-making, student speakers, and hot cocoa as an incentive.

The event drew nearly 100 students. One participant shared their perspective on ICE’s current actions and emphasized the importance of unity, stating that Bellevue should be “a community that stands by one another, regardless of citizenship, status, or color of skin.” After the public speaking and sign-making concluded, students walked together around Bellevue's campus.

Together, the two walkouts demonstrated Bellevue's growing presence of student activism. While opinions on the demonstrations may differ, the events show that students are engaged with issues beyond the classroom and are willing to speak up when their community is affected. As conversations continue, the walkouts contribute to ongoing discussions about civic engagement, school policy, and the role of young people in shaping their community.