SAN ANTONIO — Students at multiple San Antonio high schools staged walkouts Friday to protest recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). At least 10 area high schools planned walkouts, following similar demonstrations over the past two weeks.
At O’Connor High School on the Far North West Side, at least 100 students marched Friday morning, carrying signs and chanting as they walked from the band parking lot to Bandera Road, continuing past Helotes City Hall. Signs read “No human being is illegal,” “Skipping lessons to teach one,” and “ICE: Inhumane, Callous, Evil.” Some students carried Mexican flags, and one student, 15-year-old Ollie Dominguez, brought a trumpet to amplify the protest.
“I was so worried no one would show up, and then we ended up getting so much support,” said 18-year-old Allianna Capraro, pointing to drivers honking in solidarity and Northside ISD and Helotes police cars accompanying the group.
Students said the protest was sparked by several recent incidents, including the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos in Dilley, Texas, and deaths involving ICE agents in Minnesota. Capraro said she was motivated by what she called “ICE agents killing Renee Macklin Good and Alex Pretti,” adding that younger people need to speak up when adults fail to act.
Ollie said walking out draws attention to students who feel unsafe attending school when ICE agents are present. “We want the future of America to be safe. So that’s why the future of America is speaking out,” Ollie said.
Parents of students participated and observed along the route. One mother, Lauren, said her son felt strongly about having his voice heard. “This doesn’t just impact us adults. It impacts the future of our children,” she said. “By showing up, they represent an America built on unity.”
Northside ISD spokesman Barry Perez said district principals have worked proactively to communicate with families ahead of the protests. “Our stance remains consistent: while we do not physically prevent students from exercising their right to protest, we do not sponsor or endorse these events,” Perez said. Students who walk out are marked absent but face no further consequences unless they disrupt class or impede traffic.
