Muncie Central High School students protest ICE

Around 50 students marched to Muncie City Hall and back, chanting and waving to passing cars

Feb. 6, 2026 at 7:07pm

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Muncie Central High School students held a walkout on February 6th to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A group of around 50 people marched to Muncie City Hall and back along N Walnut St., chanting and waving to passing cars for nearly two hours.

Why it matters

The protest was sparked by concerns that some students have had to move away or miss school due to fears around ICE, highlighting the impact of immigration enforcement on the local community.

The details

Muncie Central senior Josiah Tramel was one of the student leaders, saying he's seen upwards of 30 classmates move away or miss school due to fear of ICE. The students marched to raise awareness and call for change, with community members like Ivory Myers and Elizabeth Swartzkopf coming to support the student protesters.

  • The walkout took place on February 6, 2026.

The players

Josiah Tramel

A senior at Muncie Central High School who helped lead the student protest.

Ivory Myers

A Muncie community member who came to support her niece, one of the student protesters.

Elizabeth Swartzkopf

A Muncie community member who came to support her daughter, one of the student protesters.

Shekela Bester

The City of Muncie Human Rights Executive Director who participated in the protest alongside the students.

Andy Klotz

The Chief Communications Officer of Muncie Community Schools, who provided a statement after the protest.

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What they’re saying

“A lot of kids don't have any idea what's going on. We have TikTok, we have Instagram, but you [don't] understand how important it is until it's here with you.”

— Josiah Tramel, Muncie Central Senior (Ball State Daily News)

“We're 'the land of the free' for a reason … [students] should get to live in the world that we grew up in.”

— Ivory Myers, Muncie community member (Ball State Daily News)

“Don't sit down. Don't stop. Speak up, and don't stay silent. Come on out here and join this fight... This is just the beginning.”

— Shekela Bester, City of Muncie Human Rights Executive Director (Ball State Daily News)

“Students are afraid to come to school. Everyone is in fear [for] their lives and that's not right. America was built on immigration. America can't be America without stolen land, so who are we to say who can and who cannot be here?”

— Josiah Tramel, Muncie Central Senior (Ball State Daily News)

What’s next

The school district said students who were not excused by their parents will face consequences outlined in the student handbook, with the specifics depending on each student's history.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the impact of immigration enforcement on a local community, with students taking a stand to raise awareness and call for change. It reflects broader debates around immigration policy and the rights of undocumented individuals in the United States.