“Take the unexcused absence”— LC students walk out in protest of ICE

By Laura Sheikh

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

At a balmy 48 degrees Fahrenheit, the sun was shining for the more than 900 students who chose to walk out of class and risk an unexcused absence to protest abuses by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The walkout also honored the death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by ICE in an incident in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.

Planning for the protest began last Thursday (Jan. 8) and, within five days, grew into city-wide movement. Walkouts also took place at Ferris, Gonzaga Prep, Mount Spokane, and Saint George’s.

The walkout began at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, with an impassioned speech from Ava Swigart, the organizer of the event. Swigart called for justice, human dignity, and the protection of immigrant communities.

Thirty-two people died in ICE custody in 2025, and since President Donald J. Trump took office, 16 shooting incidents have occurred, resulting in four deaths — including that of Good.

“Most people never get names. Most never get a headline, a march, or public mourning,” Swigart said in her opening remarks. “But today, we speak their names through action, and we stand with every unseen and unheard person harmed by this system.”

Someone stands next to the memorial created for Renee Nicole Good.

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

In her speech, Swigart quoted Holocaust survivor Martin Niemöller:

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

“We are choosing to speak before it’s too late—for our neighbors, our friends, our families, and for everyone who has suffered in silence,” Swigart said.

“This is an opportunity for us to understand what it means to sacrifice for others, to be inconvenienced for the sake of others, and to prioritize the pain of the marginalized over our own comfort,” she added. “Take the unexcused absence. Let this be the first of many opportunities where we practice sacrificial love.”

Students Ty Monasmith, Nadia Jones, and Bella Peterson stand with their signs

Courtesy of Laura Sheikh

Students Ty Monasmith, Nadia Jones, and Bella Peterson had no problem risking their attendance.

“There’s a bigger issue here than an unexcused absence,” Jones said, while Monasmith interjected, “ICE sucks.”

“Someone died,” Peterson added. “Who cares if I missed class?”

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

Sof Harris, who co-organized the event with Swigart, spoke about how ICE is a contradiction to the inherent values of law enforcement.

“My father, a former law enforcement officer of 20 years, visibly shrinks when he sees ICE on the news,” Harris said. “My dad never once fired his weapon at someone he was serving. The values he was taught were peace and de-escalation. What we see from ICE agents today is not safety, peace, or help, but anger and hate towards our people.”

Juju Chi, a second-generation immigrant whose father came to the United States from San Andres, Guatemala, in 2007, offered a firsthand perspective on how ICE raids affect immigrant communities.

“To anyone here today who may be against our walkout or the message behind it, I’d like you to imagine waking up every morning afraid that today might be the day your family disappears,” Chi said. “People love our food, dance to our music, and vacation in our countries—but when it comes to our lives and our right to exist with dignity, suddenly they’re silent.”

“There exists a fundamental misunderstanding about what a criminal is,” said Claire McConnell, one of the speakers. “It is no crime to be brown, and it is no crime to speak Spanish.”

Sonny Naipo delivers a passionate speech.

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

During his speech, Sonny Naipo became emotional and said, “If you’ve ever been assaulted, ganged up on, or felt weak, just know that I stand with you.”

“I’m not here to debate politics,” Naipo said. “This is no longer political.”

The student speeches concluded with Sadie Overstreet, who performed a poem titled “The Difference You Make.” After she finished, cheers erupted from the crowd, and a voice could be heard screeching, “THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL!”

The poems performed by Sadie Overstreet and Claire McConnell at the protest are published here.

Nikki Otero Lockwood, a member of the school board, attended the demonstration. Lockwood, who comes from a Mexican American family, was the first Latine/Hispanic person elected to public office in Spokane.

“I want to hear the student voice,” Lockwood said. “It’s important to understand the student experience, and hearing it directly from students is the best way.”

“I’m just really proud of our students for speaking their truth,” Lockwood added.

The media could not come into the commons courtyard where the demonstration was taking place, so after the speeches concluded, students rushed to the fence where chants rang out and colorful protest signs were raised high above heads.

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

Ruby Lakin poses with a homemade sign.

Courtesy of Laura Sheikh

About 10 of these signs were made by Ruby Lakin, who became a vigorous advocate of immigrant rights after hearing news stories about missing immigrant children. Many of her signs were created using the backs of old Christmas boxes. Her favorite read, “Keep families together. Abolish ICE.”

“This issue is really near and dear to my heart,” Lakin said. “I feel like a lot of people—especially at our school—are callous and don’t really care, or they’re taking this issue too lightly.”

Lakin’s family friends organize the annual Spokane event “Tacos and Tequila,” which was canceled this year due to fear over a potential ICE raid.

“I think empathy is a lost art form right now,” Lakin said. “And we all need more of it.”

In a shocking turn of events, during closing remarks at around 12:30 p.m. — despite warnings that students shouldn’t leave the courtyard — the protesters marched out the gate.

“I want to make a verbal apology to admin,” Swigart said. “We are leaving the school! We are walking!”

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

Students protesting on Stevens Street.

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

Protesters did two laps on the sidewalk around the school, shouting things like “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” and “no ICE, no KKK, no fascists USA,” while cars drove past honking in support.

Courtesy of Evan Lambiotte

Courtesy of Emely Hernandez

For sophomore Emely Hernandez, who could be seen protesting with the Mexican flag, the issue is deeply personal. Although she was born in the United States, her father immigrated from a small town in Mexico called San Luis Potosí.

“My dad, when he crossed the border, he almost died,” Hernandez said. “When he was crossing rivers, border patrol was shooting at him... he was just trying to live a better life.”

Her family lives in constant, debilitating fear, and her uncle suffers from severe panic attacks due to ICE actions.

“They came here to have a better life,” Hernandez said. “But now they’re just suffering and scared.”

“America is a land of immigrants,” Hernandez said. “We are all humans and should be defined by our characteristics and not the color of our skin. Viva la raza.”