Ronan High School students joined thousands of other high schoolers nationwide who walked out of classes to protest ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), particularly “Operation Metro Surge,” taking place in Minneapolis.

Meeting at about 1:45 p.m. last Friday at the north end of the RHS parking lot, about 35 students brought handmade signs and began chanting as they walked.

RHS senior Aden Smith organized the walk out on an Instagram page.

“I met with administration,” Aden said, which paved the way for the protest.

Kids who handed in pre-release paperwork weren’t counted absent, and that included athletes.

Aden began leading the chanting and other participants chimed in with messages like “No MAGA, No KKK, No fascists in the USA,” “No Hatred, No Fear, Immigrants are welcome here,” and “We are the people, we are the power.” 

Students stayed on the side of 4th Ave. E. until they crossed Round Butte Road and then marched on city sidewalks to the Ronan Chamber of Commerce’s visitor center parking lot. There, they piled up their backpacks and jackets, then held their signs high and lined the west side of Hwy. 93, continuing to chant.

Participants said no one had flipped them off, but one guy told them to get back in school where they belonged. Lots of motorists honked and waved in support, although one white diesel pickup “coal rolled” the group, sending a plume of greasy black smoke over the protesters.

Students said they were objecting to last month’s murders of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE officers in Minneapolis. Several kids had relatives they worried about; some were Latino; and one student wanted to stand in solidarity with other high school students. The detention facilities that the United States is using to house immigrants also concerned many of the youngsters.

    The protest signs made by Ronan High School students last Friday expressed their point of view on the federal immigration crackdown, and apparently many drivers agreed, honking and waving as they passed the youngsters on Hwy. 93. (Berl T/iskus/Leader)
  

    Ronan High School students stand along Hwy. 93 last Friday afternoon protesting ICE aggression, and particularly the recent killings of two American citizens in Minneapolis. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)

    Ronan High student Carter Gainan brought an American flag in distress mode to last Friday's student protest against ICE tactics. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)`