Little Rock students walk out of school to protest ICE

Around 100 students left eStem High School to march through downtown Little Rock in protest

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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A group of around 100 students from eStem High School in Little Rock, Arkansas walked out of school on Wednesday to protest immigration enforcement. The students marched through the streets of downtown Little Rock, accompanied by police officers who wanted to keep them safe. While school administrators said the absences would be unexcused, the students felt it was important to stand up for what they believe in.

Why it matters

The student walkout highlights growing activism among young people around immigration issues. It also raises questions about how schools should handle political protests by students during school hours.

The details

The students gathered in the courtyard of eStem High School before a smaller group of around 40 left the campus and marched through downtown Little Rock. The students chanted and carried homemade signs, with one student saying "It's never wrong to stand up for what you think is right." School administrators said they don't have a position on the protests, but support students' interest in democracy. However, the absences were considered unexcused under a new Arkansas law that prohibits excused absences for student political protests.

  • The student walkout took place on Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • In 2025, Arkansas Governor Sanders signed the ACCESS Act, which states that students who engage in political protest cannot receive excused absences.

The players

eStem High School

A public charter high school in Little Rock, Arkansas where the student walkout took place.

Little Rock Police Department

The police department that accompanied the student protesters to keep them safe during the march through downtown Little Rock.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

The governor of Arkansas who signed the ACCESS Act in 2025, prohibiting excused absences for student political protests.

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What they’re saying

“We've seen White people, Black people, Hispanic people, Asian people- we've seen everybody get affected by this.”

— Naysa, Student (THV11)

“This activity was uneventful, closely supervised, and did not disrupt instructional time.”

— Nancy Rousseau, Principal, Little Rock Central High School (THV11)

“Administration and the teachers were actually told to stay out of our way and let us do this. They had to act like they didn't want us to do it, but they let us out.”

— Luke, Student (THV11)

What’s next

The Arkansas ACCESS Act that prohibits excused absences for student political protests will likely continue to be a point of debate and controversy in the state.

The takeaway

This student walkout demonstrates the growing political activism of young people, particularly around issues of immigration enforcement. While schools may be required to treat these protests as unexcused absences, the students' actions highlight their desire to make their voices heard on important social and political issues.