Charlottesville High School Students Protest ICE with Walkout

Hundreds of students marched down McIntire Road with signs opposing immigration enforcement.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Hundreds of students at Charlottesville High School in Virginia organized a walkout on Monday to protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The students marched down McIntire Road toward the Downtown Mall, carrying signs with messages like "Stop ICE" and "We are not animals. We are citizens." The protest drew praise from former Democratic Congressman and current Congressional candidate Tom Perriello, who called it heartwarming to see the students speaking out against "ICE abuses."

Why it matters

The student-led walkout reflects growing opposition among young people to the federal government's immigration enforcement policies. As the debate over immigration continues, high school students are increasingly using activism and civil disobedience to make their voices heard on these issues.

The details

Videos showed a large group of Charlottesville High School students marching down McIntire Road on Monday afternoon, chanting slogans and carrying signs protesting ICE. A Charlottesville City Schools spokesperson confirmed the walkout was organized by the students themselves. The protest was large enough to prompt a public alert from the Charlottesville Police Department, warning drivers to use caution due to increased pedestrian traffic.

  • The walkout took place on Monday afternoon.

The players

Charlottesville High School students

A group of high school students in Charlottesville, Virginia who organized a walkout to protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Tom Perriello

A former Democratic Congressman and current Congressional candidate who praised the Charlottesville High School students for participating in the walkout and speaking out against "ICE abuses."

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What they’re saying

“Warms the soul to see Charlottesville High School students participating in a walk out and speaking out against ICE abuses today.”

— Tom Perriello, Former Democratic Congressman and current Congressional candidate (Facebook)

The takeaway

The student-led protest in Charlottesville highlights the growing activism and political engagement of young people on issues like immigration enforcement. As the debate over ICE and border security continues, high school students are increasingly using civil disobedience to make their voices heard and challenge the status quo.