Disclaimer: Profane language is present in the footage and images captured. The Pearl Post Editorial board chose to include content without censorship to properly convey and represent students’ messages.

Several hundred students from elementary, middle and high schools across the San Fernando Valley joined the All Valley Walkout to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the country targeting undocumented immigrants on Friday morning.

“People should be able to feel safe around others,” said a sixth grader from Louis Armstrong Middle School. “No one is illegal and people should feel safe to come outside. I want people to know that no matter where you come from, you’re still allowed to be here and no one should be kicking you out.”

The students, including participants from Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS), walked out of their schools and gathered at Van Nuys City Hall to denounce ICE on Feb. 6. The walkouts were organized by Birmingham City Schools Virtual Academy student Zaileen Piña and Valor Academy High School senior Jaslyn Galdamez, who run an Instagram account @valley.walkout. The protest also consisted of students from Birmingham Community Charter High School (BCCHS), High Tech Los Angeles High School (HTLA), Van Nuys High School, Louis Armstrong Middle School, North Hollywood High School and Cleveland Charter High School. 

Sixty-five students were absent from DPMHS today, including 12 who walked out during period 1. Over 12,500 students from over 85 LAUSD schools walked out on Friday, yet protesters urged people to act against ICE and the current administration, regardless of whether they participated in a protest previously. 

Students previously protested against the Trump administration and ICE during both of President Trump’s terms, through school walkouts and numerous “No Kings” protests throughout 2025. 

Senior Delilah Trujillo participated in the Friday protest as well as the walkout against the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the walkout in response to the displacement of two DPMHS teachers in September 2024. 

“I have family and relatives who are undocumented, so it hurts my soul to see everything that’s been happening around the world and how unfair things are. I feel like it motivates me to speak up for those who can’t,” Trujillo said. “We are not illegal on stolen land. This land is for all of us. We wouldn’t be America without these immigrants.”

Over the past few weeks, people across the country have conducted anti-ICE protests and walk-outs throughout the nation in response to incidents such as the shooting of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good and the detainment of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos by ICE officers in Minneapolis, as well as ICE raids in Los Angeles and Chicago. In addition, LAUSD and Reseda Charter High School rising senior Benjamin Marcelo Guerrero-Cruz was recently released from a months-long custody in late November after ICE arrested him in August. BCCHS freshman Iara Cornejo describes the intense emotions she feels toward the actions of ICE.

“I think it just put determination and fear inside of me because from all I’ve heard, especially from my family in Minnesota,” Cornejo said. “Even though they’re documented, they had to self-deport just out of fear because they live in Minnesota.” 

However, not all students who wanted to participate were able to engage in the walkout. DPMHS students made posters in the MPR during lunch to show solidarity for the anti-ICE movement. Freshman Niya Bowers wore ribbons in her braids to spread awareness in addition to creating posters.

“My hairstyle is a popular Mexican hairstyle and I thought that by wearing this hairstyle, I would spread awareness about what I was protesting for,” Bowers said. “My pin signifies the little boy Liam (Conejo Ramos) from Minneapolis who was taken by ICE. I thought it was important to represent him specifically because it shows that ICE is going to schools and is targeting children as well.” 

Throughout the protest at Van Nuys City Hall, attendees shouted cheers and chants together, such as “say it out loud and say it clear, immigrants are welcome here” and “from the valley to LA, keep ICE away” while holding Latin American flags. Protesters also held up signs that read phrases like “No one is illegal on stolen land,” “Hate doesn’t make us great” and  “I like my ICE crushed.”

“My poster (says), ‘ICE belongs in my horchata, not our country,’ because horchata is delicious and that’s honestly where the only place ICE should be and it should not be in my country,” BCCHS alum Jake said. “I should feel safe living on the streets and I wouldn’t want it in any other place.”

Volunteers at Van Nuys City Hall provided snacks, beverages and full meals to protesters and handed out cards with information regarding protest rights. Additionally, they set up a sign-making station for students to create their own protest signs.

“I am so proud of each and every student standing out here and also (those) supporting remotely,” said volunteer organizer who goes by “Moose.” “I understand not everyone could be here in person and that’s understandable. Everyone is doing their part but I am completely inspired and admire the students for speaking out and showing up.”

This story was originally published on The Pearl Post on February 6, 2026.