Hundreds of students walked out of Maricopa High School this morning, leaving classrooms and marching an estimated four miles from the high school to the Smith-Enke intersection and back as part of a national protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Students said fear of immigration raids and police cooperation with federal agents has become a daily reality for many families.
“We’re here because people are being kidnapped,” said Damian, a student who declined to give his last name. “ICE is coming to schools and grabbing kids. It’s getting dangerous.”
The walkout unfolded during passing periods late in the morning, with students using class changes to exit campus and gather along sidewalks near the school. Some wrote messages in chalk encouraging classmates to join, while others carried handmade signs and chanted as passing drivers honked in support.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re here legally or illegally,” Damian said. “You could be American-born, you could be literally white, Caucasian American, and if you disagree with them, they’ll shoot you and lie about it, even when there’s video,” he said, citing the shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
Students said the demonstration was worth potential disciplinary consequences, including unexcused absences.
“Even if there were consequences, I’d be out here anyway,” said Nicodemus Croft, a 10th-grade student. “A life means so much more to me than whatever punishment.”
Croft, who said he is transgender and part of the LGBTQ community, described the protest as both political and personal.
“If there’s some way I can support the good stuff and screw over the bad stuff, I’m going to do it,” he said. “It feels great seeing people come out of their shell and act against the bad.”
Several students said fear of immigration enforcement is a frequent topic of conversation outside of school, particularly in community spaces.
“There’s widespread panic in communities,” said Nicole, a community member who was writing messages of support alongside students. “People are warning each other. If there’s a traffic stop, you don’t know if it’s just police or if ICE is involved.”
Maricopa Unified School District officials warned families earlier this week about the planned walkout, emphasizing student safety and attendance expectations. In a message sent Tuesday, Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman said the district does not endorse the walkouts and urged students to remain on campus during the school day.
“Our top priority remains the safety of our students,” Lopeman wrote. “Students are safest when they remain on campus until regular dismissal.”
District officials said students who leave campus or class without permission during the school day would receive unexcused absences, which could affect their ability to make up missed work. The district said it would not physically stop or confront students who chose to leave campus, but families would be notified of absences.
Lopeman added that the district encourages demonstrations to take place after school hours, stating that officials “value student voice and encourage respectful and appropriate avenues for expression.”
The protest in Maricopa was part of a broader wave of national walkouts and campus demonstrations called in response to recent immigration enforcement actions and deaths tied to federal operations. Student groups across the country urged participants to leave school, work and shopping as part of what organizers described as a “national shutdown” aimed at disrupting daily life until changes are made.
At the University of California, Los Angeles, students called for a Friday afternoon walkout to answer what organizers described as a nationwide economic shutdown, following protests and a general strike in Minnesota earlier this month.
As students streamed out of Maricopa High School, Croft estimated that as many as half of those changing classes joined the walkout.
“I’d say at least a third to a half are going to leave,” he said. “The message is for ICE. We’re not afraid of you. For the people being oppressed: we will stand by you.”
This overwhelming walkout and march comes in a community that just over a year ago voted decisively for Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. According to official results, Trump received about 60.57% of the vote in Pinal County, compared with 38.49% for Harris, a margin of more than 22 percentage points.
Parents and other residents watching the march said the turnout challenged assumptions about youth activism.
“People say they’re just skipping school,” Nicole said. “But these kids are watching their families, their neighbors. Just because they’re kids doesn’t mean they don’t understand what’s happening.”
As students marched along an overpass, they quickly filled the median. This was the only interaction Maricopa Police had with student protesters, telling them to return to the sidewalks.
As the march continued through town, students kept chanting and waving signs as cars passed.
As students passed one honking car, a woman pumped her fist as she honked her horn.
“I love it,” said Diana, an 11th-grade student, draped in a Mexican flag. She stopped to wave to honking trucks and thumbs up from passing cars. “It feels amazing. We’re fighting for our future.”
“I love this,” said a motorist who honked and raised a fist as the students marched past. “This is what we used to do in the 1960s. Gotta go.”
The light turned green, the students created a path for the car to pass. The honking continued into the distance.
Watch video of the protest here:
![A photo of a custom-made Glacier Springs Water system, layered over a photo of person washing a cup in a sink. [Glacier Springs Water, Cotton Bro Studio]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260611-glacier-springs-water-300x169.jpg)
![William Senne, arrested June 2, 2026. [Pinal County Sheriff's Office]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/20260610-william-senne-arrest-300x170.jpg)
32 Responses
This is the stupidest thing to post for ignorance of parents and students that are just as stupid. I wish illegal immigrants run maricopa. The judge and police chief ask why there is so much crime. Here’s your sign publisher. Alow low income shit in and you get shir. We will never have a Costco. Target or any high end restaurants because of section 8 and welfare
Not sure if you were away of this, but public assistance is reserved for legal residents and citizens… not illegal immigrants. Take a quick drive by Ross and Frys. You’ll see a perfectly healthy american man with a cardboard sign asking for money on the sidewalk and in the parking lot you’ll find a hispanic man selling oranges.. I hope that puts things into perspective for you.
Ever notice that the people who throw the word “stupid” around always have the writing skills of drunken toddler?
Exhibit A.
Spellcheck?
Really, why post this to praise stupidity. Inmaricopa should be ashamed of praising stupidity of teenagers, school district and their stupid parents. ICE has every right to remove criminals. I hope that support criminals, are victims of their crimes. Then they will realize the real situation.
Exhibit B.
The media’s job is to report. It is intended to be an unbiased source for you to become informed. Unfortunately mainstream media in today’s world is far from that- Cable news networks target specific audiences and bend information to appease their viewer demographic. Social media’s algorithms do the same. So it’s easy to see why you would consider a report that is merely imformative of an event that took place as “stupid.” I’ll dumb it down for you- you don’t agree or understand a perspective outside of your own so you instictively attack it. Nancy, people often ask how Nazy Germany and the holocaust could have ever taken place. You’re the prime example. You’re an easy target for brainwashing.
This is the sad truth of reality. Humans are so easy to control with propaganda and fear. It does not have to stay like this, though.
These kids have no idea what they’re talking about….😂Turn off the mainstream media!
Looks like public schools failed again. Retards want criminals to run free. Most of these kids dont even know what gender they are.
Useful idiots displaying Mexican flags, a turd world country where none of the students would want to be “living”.
And to the “trans” the muslim / communist countries will not play along with your delusions.
I support the removal of dangerous criminals in our midst by my intelligence community colleagues.
Soooooo you support literal Secret Police “disappearing” people???
Like Orwellian “big brother is watching you” type shit?
Am I understanding you correctly?
Not as in ICE operations.
As in actual spooks, since you did that super rad name-dropping with the “intelligence community”, whatever that means.
Wait, are you talking about Illuminati?
Not the real ones but the kinda simple guy that comments here?
Hey BKM! You remember me! Thank you for the compliment. By the way TAB is right! lol hahahah.
I think the comments for this article will be an absolute shitshow at the fuckfactory… people squabbling over their ideological beliefs… and completely missing the point, in my unsolicited opinion… 😉
Much like a certain arrogant MAGA inMaricopa commentator’s performance in the bedroom (let’s just call him “BAB”), it’s not what ICE is doing that sucks. It’s how they’re doing it.
ICE conducted raids, human cages and deportation during the Obama years (Clinton also expanded the Reagan-era anti-immigration laws) but Obama had the sense to do it quietly. It was also very nonpartisan and carried out by well-trained federal agents.
In 2026, it has become a reality show predicated on this administration’s desire to make it extremely partisan. Notice how they aren’t sending 4,000 ICE agents to Fort Worth, Texas.
Good’s murder was muddied by her actions with her vehicle (that was a very unfortunate choice on her part) but Pretti’s murder was a crystal clear failure of training. I’m actually shocked it was committed by CBP agents. I had friends in CBP during the Obama years and they would have never unloaded their clips into the back of a man being held down and disarmed by their fellow agents. It was madness, so much so that even Republicans like Ted Cruz are calling for an investigation.
But armed military actions against American citizens dates all the way back to 1786 with Sheys’ Rebellion (a fascinating moment of early American history that clarifies the myth of the Founding Fathers’ motivations and their willingness to screw over the poor white farmers whose blood won them a nation).
The point is not whether these high school kids have the facts straight. They don’t.
The point is that it’s important for the People to exercise their right to assemble and demonstrate against authoritarianism and the economic interests of the very rich. That is what created this country. That is how the labor unions won rights from the robber-barons of the 19th Century. That is how the Civil Rights Movement was successful in the 1960’s. Hell, one could argue that the White Nationalist MAGA rallies of the last decade are what made all this possible. I didn’t agree with them but I did not begrudge them their right to demonstrate without murdering them (although apparently White Nationalists can legally murder others (see “Rittenhouse, Kyle”) but I digress).
Also, they’re kids. Give them a break and let ‘em live a little, you old fuddyduddies.
P.S. One of the very few things I agree with Trump on is a strict “no spitting” policy. That’s just gross. BUT that doesn’t mean you get to shoot the guy in the back multiple times while your fellow agents disarm him of the gun he is legally licensed to conceal and carry per 2A… a week later! Absurd!
P.S.S. “BAB” is terrible in the sack. I have proof.
I’m genuinely so glad you’re back, BKM. I missed this from you.
Thanks G-Unit, I appreciate it!
I know TAB missed me too. He’s just so lonely…
Says the b b b beta….
TAB, I bet you’re fun at parties!
So witty! So luminous! So many deep layers!
“B b b beta”? Genius! I’m completely disarmed by your wit!
(Now that I’m disarmed, hopefully I don’t get shot in the back…)
Fascinating how a “mature” man garners the affections of a high school student. Says a lot about you…cough, cough….
… that I know how to interact with other humans positively?
That he’s roughly the same age as my kids and I’m a great Dad?
Please. You’re just butt-hurt that Gunner didn’t go for your batshit crazy British conspiracy theory video.
If he had, you’d be taking him out for ice cream and his first upside down flag tattoo…
TAB, it’s actually more so that I find BKM funny and not a nuisance like most commenters on here. Also, BKM is definitely not like our president who would visit a certain island owned by a certain person.
And may I add, I’m sure this is not the first time you have “interacted” with a minor, I just thought you might be a little more discreet…
You may not but thanks for asking.
You always come back for the ill-advised second swing after stewing for 30 minutes…
“AND ANOTHER THING!!! …. Ummm… ummmm… insert generic baseless and inappropriate insinuation here…”
TAB, I figured out your problem.
Imma give you a kitten.
Because I think you’re sad and lonely and I’ve never met a man in more desperate need of… well, you get the picture…
wow todays youth are so lost! and why are they cursing on their signs and using F words?
I’m not sure if you commenters will see this, but stay on the lookout for a sign that includes “That is bullshit BLAZING”. That’s me, and I’m brave enough to be a fool. It’s sad to see all of the hurtful things that most of you say, but none of it will stop me from fighting for my home! I will NOT sit on my ass while my home is burning; I WILL fight to stop the fire; and your words will NOT kill me.
(That’s 3 Guilty Gear Strive lyric references :P)
Hey man, you went out there and stood up for what you felt was right.
That’s what it means to be an American and enjoy freedom, even if other Americans disagree with you.
As long as you don’t storm a capitol building and take a shit on someone’s desk because you refuse to accept the results of an election, it’s all good!
Great job!
It’s been proven that Jan 6th was coordinated by Democrats and it’s also been proven that the 2020 election had immense voter fraud. We don’t disagree with you, we just know BS when we see, and are not afraid to call it out. I encourage you to do more research cause whatever research you did (or lack there off) seems to have failed you.
Oh wow, really? It’s been proven in a court of law? Not just some batshit crazy YouTube video?
No shit. Huh.
BKM’s replied made me happy, but this made me historical! January 6th was NOT coordinated by Democrats. That is a lie made by Trump and his associates to shift the blame elsewhere. I swear, it will always be dumbfounding whenever someone tells another to “do more research,” and yet they clearly didn’t do proper research themselves! After all, if you had done proper research, then you would know that Trump isn’t someone who you should be supporting.
I was wondering if any charter schools shutdown to protest(activists)the lawful deportation of illegal imigration?