All across Humble ISD, student-led protests broke out on Feb. 3, Feb. 6 and Feb. 27, with this school’s walkouts occurring Feb. 6 and Feb. 27. The protests were against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program. The school joined Humble High School and Summer Creek High School in staging walkouts during the school day, while Kingwood High School and Kingwood Park High School held their protests after school.

“The idea for this protest started from conversations among students who felt frustrated and fearful about the impact of ICE policies on immigrant families,” anonymous owner of the ahsagainstice Instagram account said. “It felt important to create a space where students could express solidarity and demand humanity and fairness.”

The protests across the Greater Houston area were originally sparked by ICE’s detainment of Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center senior Mauro Yosueth Henriquez in December, just 31 miles from this school.

“My initial reaction to the AHS protest was ‘this is dumb,’” senior Benjamin Velmont said. “A high school protest won’t stop a powerful government movement. I knew the protest would just lead to kids getting into trouble.”

Some students believed they would receive the punishment of the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP), though other punishments — such as Thursday Class and not letting participating seniors graduate — were also in circulation among students.

“I did not attend the walkout due to rumors that seniors will not walk at graduation if they leave the school,” senior Jeovany Robles said. “I think it’s crazy that the entire year you will see students skipping class with practically no punishment, but when students want to leave as a message, suddenly it’s [a] problem.”

Hundreds of students from the Greater Houston area protested on Feb. 6, despite Gov. Greg Abbott threatening to take away attendance funding from participating schools.

“I personally did not consider [the protest] a wise idea for a number of reasons,” AP Chemistry teacher Chelsea Harris said. “School districts do not want to be held liable for any incidents that may arise, class time could be disrupted and the effort didn’t sound well-organized or planned. I also think there are more effective ways to seek the much-needed change.”

Harris suggested alternative methods of trying to change policies, such as students either taking their concerns directly to government officials or registering to vote. You must be 18 years old by Nov. 3 to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.

“We the people have to make our voices heard,” Robles said. “[I don’t like] when people say ‘some high schoolers can’t vote, so y’all [shouldn’t] care about politics.’ We care because politics directly affects our future, and it is not looking great for us.”

The walkouts occurred immediately following fifth period. Teachers were required to take attendance in sixth period, something out of the ordinary for a typical school day.

“We didn’t really do any prep because we’re not allowed to stop students from protesting,” Humble ISD Police Officer Jocquan Keith said. “But we were prepared.”

Extra Humble ISD police officers were stationed outside the school, to ensure the safety of student protestors.

“There were moments when the pressure from authority made us pause, because power often discourages resistance by threatening consequences,” ahsagainstice said. “History shows that institutions rarely welcome disruption, even when the cause is just.”

Still, there were over 25 students that participated in the Feb. 6 walkout.

“The protest turnout wasn’t very strong, due to the prevention of the school and the consequences they announced if you participated in it,” Velmont said. “[Though I] recognize some of the hiccups the program has had these past few months, I think people should take a step back and recognize the bigger purpose of ICE before getting upset at the program.”

Protestors met at the flagpole, and walked with signs across the street to the McDonald’s on Will Clayton Pkwy.

“There were dozens of students present, but the true number is larger than those who physically marched,” ahsagainstice said. “Every student who questioned, discussed or reflected afterward became part of the movement. Numbers matter, but consciousness matters more.”

There are no additional protests scheduled for the future at this time.

“This protest was not an act of rebellion — it was an act of self-respect,” ahsagainstice said. “History never remembers those who waited for permission to demand justice. It remembers those who stood firm when silence was the safer choice.”