More than 50 Mount Tahoma students walked out of class on February 10. Some held posters. Some led chants. All of them shared one goal: standing up for immigrant rights and bringing awareness to what’s happening in our communities.

Across Washington, schools have been protesting the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). But this wasn’t just something we saw online. It happened right here in Tacoma.

I created this story because immigration policies and deportations are not just headlines — they affect real families at our school. Many students at Mount Tahoma come from immigrant households. These issues impact our friends, our neighbors, and our families.

Senior Andrea E., one of the protest organizers, shared her concerns. “My biggest fear is just what they’re going to do to us and community members around me,” she said. She explained that some parents are scared to leave the house for simple things like grocery shopping or getting gas.

Before talking about the protest, it’s important to know your rights. If ICE comes to your home, you don’t have to open the door unless they have a warrant signed by a judge. You have the right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. You don’t have to consent to searches without a warrant. When protesting in public spaces like sidewalks and parks, your rights are strong. You can record what you see, and police cannot delete your photos or videos without a warrant.

Junior Vivian T., another organizer, said planning the protest took collaboration and careful thought. “The first process was to just connect with other students that are willing to help me organize,” she said. Organizers made safety plans, wore bright vests to guide students, and made sure the protest stayed peaceful.

“Our specific demand was to bring awareness to immigration rights and for ICE to stop targeting individuals,” Vivian said.

This protest reflected what Mount Tahoma stands for. It showed courage, community voice, and collaboration. It showed compassion for families who feel afraid. Most of all, it showed that students here care.

At Mount Tahoma, belonging means standing up for each other. And on February 10, that’s exactly what we did.

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