Riverside County High School Students Stage Peaceful ICE Protest

Over 100 Beaumont High School students walked out of class to demonstrate against perceived abuses of power by the current administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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More than 100 students at Beaumont High School in Riverside County, California participated in a student-led walkout on Wednesday to peacefully protest against the actions of the current administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The students left campus around 11 a.m. and marched about two miles to a local grocery store, carrying signs with messages like "My Test Got Moved So I Could Make History" and "Searched for Illegal Aliens, found humans. Searched for monsters, found ICE." School officials monitored the situation but did not supervise the off-campus activities, and the Beaumont Police Department was aware of the protest. Parents were supportive, with some keeping their children home to participate and others recording the event to commemorate the students' mature and thoughtful demonstration.

Why it matters

The student walkout highlights growing concerns among young people about perceived abuses of power and the actions of federal immigration enforcement agencies. The peaceful protest demonstrates the students' civic engagement and desire to make their voices heard on important political issues, even at a young age.

The details

The student walkout was planned in advance, and the Beaumont Unified School District informed parents that school schedules would continue as normal and any students who left campus would need to be checked back in by a parent or guardian. Despite light rain, over 100 students participated, marching about two miles from the high school to a local grocery store while carrying signs, banners, and even a guitar. Witnesses described the students as organized, respectful, and mature in their demonstration.

  • The students left Beaumont High School around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
  • The protest lasted for several hours, with students remaining at the grocery store location to continue their peaceful demonstration.

The players

Beaumont High School

A high school located in Beaumont, California that was the site of the student-led walkout protest.

Beaumont Unified School District

The school district that oversees Beaumont High School and informed parents about the student walkout.

Beaumont Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that was aware of the student protest and asked drivers in the area to exercise caution.

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What they’re saying

“These students walked about two miles together to the local grocery store, carrying signs, standing peacefully, organized and respectful. The teenagers coordinated this in a mature and thoughtful way. Grown adults haven't always managed to protest with this level of composure.”

— Juanita Hargreaves, Beaumont resident (Patch)

“I gave (my daughter) permission to join! These (are) young humans out here, I support this movement!”

— Anonymous parent (Patch)

The takeaway

The student walkout at Beaumont High School demonstrates the civic engagement and political awareness of young people, who are using peaceful protest to make their voices heard on important issues like immigration enforcement. The mature and thoughtful way the students organized and carried out their demonstration has earned them praise from community members, highlighting the power of youth activism.