Bethesda High Students Protest ICE, Driven by Fear

On a recent Tuesday, an overwhelming number of students at Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda, Maryland, staged a walkout to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest came in response to concerns over ICE’s treatment of individuals in the community, particularly in light of recent incidents reported in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Students Take a Stand Against ICE

Organizers of the protest, juniors Evan Schwartz and Dalia Rees, emphasized the importance of political activism among young people. Schwartz stated, “We’re doing this walkout in protest of ICE brutality and to secure a promise from Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) not to cooperate with ICE.” Rees echoed these sentiments, highlighting the necessity for students to remain politically engaged in today’s climate.

Call for Policy Changes

The students are advocating for two key changes within the school district:

• A policy prohibiting ICE enforcement on school grounds.
• The inclusion of civil liberties education in school assemblies to inform students about their constitutional rights.

Freshman Mariana Spensley-Aguirre, whose family has Mexican roots, shared her anxieties related to immigration status. Although she is a legal U.S. citizen, she has had discussions with her family about the need to carry identification due to concerns over her appearance. “Everyone’s living in fear and watching the news is terrifying,” she expressed.

Montgomery County Public Schools’ Response

Montgomery County Public Schools spokesperson Liliana Lopez addressed the district’s policies on ICE. She noted that if immigration officials visit a school, MCPS has a protocol to handle the situation, which includes verifying identities and notifying legal counsel.

Lopez also stated that the district recognizes students’ rights to peacefully assemble and express their opinions. However, she informed students that participating in the walkout would lead to unexcused absences, a point that Schwartz acknowledged after the event.

This protest highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration issues and the significant impact they have on the lives of students and their families in Bethesda and beyond.