Tacoma High School Walkout Joins Growing Western Washington Student Protest Against ICE
Updated (3 articles)
Tacoma High School Walkout Mobilizes Over 100 Students More than 100 Stadium High School students left class on Sunday afternoon to stage a walkout in Tacoma, Washington, echoing earlier demonstrations in Auburn where hundreds of students also left school [1][2]. The protest formed part of a coordinated series of walkouts across western Washington that began on Friday, January 31, and spread to multiple districts [2]. Organizers emphasized the action as a direct response to recent federal immigration enforcement policies.
Students March to Wright Park Demanding ICE Abolition After exiting the campus, the Tacoma demonstrators walked to Wright Park, carrying signs that called for the abolition of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and criticized the president [1]. The march highlighted youth opposition to federal immigration enforcement and served as a visible public statement in the city center. Similar rallies in Auburn culminated at City Hall, reinforcing the regional focus on ICE policies [2].
Student Leaders Emphasize Youth‑Driven Immigration Advocacy Jack Tolliver described the protest as evidence of a generational shift toward activism, while organizer Siena Higginson urged political leaders to “grow a spine” on ICE issues [1]. In Auburn, senior Dayanara Nava and Giselle Soltero cited personal immigrant backgrounds as motivation, with Soltero’s sign reading “Skipping my lesson to teach one” [2]. These student voices collectively framed the walkouts as both a civic lesson and a demand for humane enforcement.
District and Community React to Protest Tacoma Public Schools spokesperson Tanish Jumper affirmed the district’s respect for students’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, though the district did not encourage participation [1]. Adult reactions varied: some residents expressed pride and handed out supportive materials, while others confronted the protesters as they left [1]. In Auburn, community members gathered at City Hall, indicating broader local engagement with the students’ message [2].
Regional Walkouts Show Coordinated Anti‑ICE Momentum The Auburn walkout extended beyond the town, with students also assembling in Seattle’s Red Square and Lynnwood, demonstrating a coordinated regional dissent against ICE [2]. Tacoma’s demonstration added to this momentum, illustrating a widening youth‑led movement across western Washington. The combined actions underscore a growing pattern of student activism targeting federal immigration enforcement.
Sources
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1.
King5: Tacoma High School Students Walk Out to Protest ICE: Details the February 3 walkout of over 100 Stadium High students, their march to Wright Park, statements from student leaders Jack Tolliver and Siena Higginson, mixed adult reactions, and the district’s stance on constitutional rights .
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2.
King5: Western Washington Students Walk Out Friday to Protest ICE Policies: Describes the January 31 coordinated walkouts in Auburn involving hundreds of students, personal immigrant backgrounds of organizers Dayanara Nava and Giselle Soltero, expansion of protests to Seattle and Lynnwood, and the broader regional movement .
Timeline
Jan 20, 2026 – Seattle Public Schools place six campuses (Aki Kurose Middle, Beacon Hill International, Cleveland STEM High, Dearborn Park International, Maple Elementary, Mercer International Middle) under shelter‑in‑place after reports of ICE activity; Aki Kurose lifts the protocol around noon, Cleveland STEM in the afternoon, and the others end at dismissal, while district officials later state no confirmed ICE presence and students, parents (e.g., Lester Roberts) describe a tense, fearful atmosphere[3].
Jan 30, 2026 – Hundreds of Auburn Riverside, Mountainview and Auburn High students walk out during fifth period, march to Auburn City Hall to protest ICE policies; organizers cite personal immigrant backgrounds, with senior Dayanara Nava noting a school group chat spurred action and senior Giselle Soltero holding a sign reading “Skipping my lesson to teach one” to emphasize civic education over detention[2].
Jan 30‑31, 2026 – Coordinated walkouts spread beyond Auburn as University of Washington footage captures students gathering in Seattle’s Red Square and Lynnwood High students assemble with signs, illustrating a broader Western Washington student movement demanding humane immigration enforcement[2].
Feb 3, 2026 – Over 100 Stadium High School students stage a walkout in Tacoma, march to Wright Park demanding ICE abolition; participant Jack Tolliver says the protest shows a generational shift toward activism, while organizer Siena Higginson urges leaders to “grow a spine” and keep ICE out of communities, and district spokesperson Tanish Jumper affirms students’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly[1].