More than 200 students left Viewmont High School to march against ICE on Friday morning Feb. 6. Over the course of an hour, the protestors wove their way down Main Street, past the South Davis Rec center and back again towards the school. Chants of “No Hate, No Fear, Immigrants Are Welcome Here!” rang out across the streets, accompanied by a chorus of car horns. Even the protestors themselves were surprised by the turnout and passion of the crowd. Together, these students were able to show what they stand for. 

The protest was only possible, in large part, because of Viewmont Senior Helena Anderson.

Anderson has long expressed issues with ICE’s behavior, specifically the deaths during ICE’s Minnesota immigration crackdown. She was unable to join in the Jan. 30 national walkout, where many other schools from around the state protested. So, Anderson took it upon herself to organize a peaceful and legal walk out at Viewmont High School.

Deciding to speak out was a daunting step for Anderson. “Wanting more information has always stopped me from doing stuff like this before,” she said. “I don’t know everything, but I think I know enough. I’ve finally gathered the courage to speak out.”

After posting protest details on Instagram, Anderson reports the response was overwhelming. “I’ve had so many people respond and say, ‘I’ll be there; I care about this.’” 

Though others may have balked at how this protest would affect their future, Anderson remained undeterred. “If someone doesn’t want me because I expressed my political views, then I don’t want to be associated with them,” she said. “There’s so much happening, and it’s like, ‘OK, maybe I don’t get to go to college, but other people are actually dying.’” 

Even knowing that one high school walk out won’t solve the problem by itself, Anderson is ready to do everything she can. “Right now, it’s so scary, and you feel totally hopeless and you think ‘what am I supposed to do?’ But if you look around, there are so many people who care and are trying to fix this. Anything you do will change something.”

However, not everyone thinks that the walk out is well considered, effective, or safe.

“This protest punishes the wrong people,” a concerned Viewmont student said. “The government doesn’t care if you leave class. You’re just punishing yourself, because you’re the one that’s going to be missing out on your education and showing ingratitude to the teachers that have worked hard to prepare a lesson.”

Many believe more effective methods of change are available. For example, writing to representatives, testifying in an open legislative session, or directly helping struggling immigrants.

“I think most people who want to participate in the protest don’t understand the depth of what’s going on,” another student said. “For the most part, people are using it as an excuse to leave school instead of researching and understanding what’s going on.” 

“It’s best to keep your opinions to yourself,” one student believes. “You need to be careful with where you stand because people in the future can hold it against you.”

When asked for a comment on these proceedings, Viewmont Principal Travis Lund and Rep. Paul Cutler, R-Centerville, provided valuable perspectives.

The stance on school disruption varies from student to administration. “As long as you’re only disrupting your own learning, it’s not disruptive to our environment,” Lund said. “We don’t prohibit or give permission for such activities.” 

“Honestly, I’m not sure if student protests are making a big difference,” said Cutler. “But I do think it’s really healthy students are learning about this.” While Cutler supports the intent behind these protests, he adds, “If you want to influence policy or help make change, focus on the policy, not the people.”

When the wild crowd arrived back to Viewmont after the march, they quickly dispersed. Kids went back to class, and soon the world seemed no different than it had been before. But Anderson believes differently. “I know sometimes things feel small and you feel hopeless, and you feel like you can’t do anything,” she said. “But this is going to inspire more people to stand up for what they believe in. Any small act leads to something bigger.”