Howell High School students plan after-school walkout to protest ICE enforcement

Parents raise concerns over safety and appropriateness of student protest during school hours

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Howell High School students are planning an after-school walkout on February 20th to protest ICE enforcement, shifting from an earlier plan to hold the protest during the school day. While some parents support the students' right to free speech, others have expressed concerns over safety and whether the school is an appropriate venue for such a political demonstration.

Why it matters

The planned walkout highlights the ongoing debate over the role of politics and activism in schools, as well as concerns about student safety during protests. It also reflects broader tensions around immigration enforcement and the rights of undocumented individuals.

The details

Initially, a sign-up circulated online to gauge student interest in a walkout during the school's seventh hour period on February 20th. However, the plans have since shifted, and the walkout will now take place after school hours. While the school district says resource officers will be on campus during the school day, they cannot guarantee supervision for non-school-sponsored activities once the day ends.

  • The walkout is planned for February 20th, 2026.
  • The original plan was for the walkout to take place during the school's seventh hour period.
  • The plans have since shifted, and the walkout will now take place after school hours.

The players

Stacey Wagoner

A parent of a senior at Howell High School who is deeply frustrated by the plans to protest and says her son will not be participating.

Kelli Uphaus

A parent of a child in Howell Public Schools who is concerned about the safety of the planned walkout, citing incidents of violence at similar protests.

Howell Public Schools

The school district that declined an interview but said resource officers will be on campus during the school day, though they cannot guarantee supervision for non-school-sponsored activities after school.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very worried about our kids, extremely worried about our kids. I'm tired of the political theater; it has no place in our school systems.”

— Stacey Wagoner, Parent (cbsnews.com)

“Yes, the First Amendment applies totally and completely to them, and they should do what they feel is that strongly about, right? But I feel like school is not the place for it.”

— Kelli Uphaus, Parent (cbsnews.com)

“I have seen so many things on the news about violence happening in these. I mean, we've had two people killed; it's not comfortable to think that children are going to put themselves in a situation where somebody could step out of line, and it could end up harming one of them.”

— Kelli Uphaus, Parent (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The school district has said that resource officers will be on campus during the school day, but they cannot guarantee supervision for the non-school-sponsored walkout after school hours.

The takeaway

This planned walkout highlights the ongoing debate over the appropriate role of politics and activism in schools, as well as concerns about student safety during protests. It reflects the broader tensions around immigration enforcement and the rights of undocumented individuals, with parents divided on whether the school is an appropriate venue for such a demonstration.