Dozens of St. Petersburg High School students across all grades walked out of class Thursday, in a show of solidarity with victims of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
It’s among the latest local reactions to the shooting deaths last month of Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of the federal agents in Minneapolis, Minn., which has sparked outrage and prompted marches across the country.
It’s not clear who organized the protest. Students stood in front of the school on 5th Ave N., waving signs and shouting chants.
Administrators opposed the walkout, and some students reported exits physically blocked by staff members.
School leaders also threatened punishment for participants days leading up to the walkout, students said.
Ray Nicholson, a sophomore who said she helped make signs for the walkout, said he heard four announcements over the school’s PA system stating that “if people participate in the walkout today, then they’re going to face trouble.”
Once outside, students were met by St. Petersburg Police with four patrol cars and one undercover car spotted. No officers interfered in the protest during the time Spartan News Network reporters were there.
Junior Preston Newsom wasn’t familiar with the organizers but said ultimately it didn’t matter.
“I think it matters that the people are out here in protest,” he said.
Passing cars honked and waved as they passed. Adult community members joined in, taking video and posting to social media, supporting students.
“If you have students who are ranging from 18-15 out here protesting about I.C.E, then I.C.E needs to go because it’s a huge problem,” said Tabitha Short,
Tyler Gorley, a member of the Pinellas chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, stated that the number of students willing to take a stand “gives me a lot of hope.”
Gorley passed out pamphlets providing information on agreement 287(g). This agreement between ICE and multiple municipal police departments and organizations (Including Tampa and St. Petersburg) allows officers of these organizations to act as an extension of ICE itself and aid in deportation or border control efforts.
One shocking story received at the protest is that of Jose Batista, told by his friend Preston Newsom.
A junior at St. Petersburg High and a natural-born citizen, Jose, 17, was forced to leave the country after both of his parents were deported by ICE agents. Jose is now in Mexico and searching for a way to return to the country to finish his education, Newsom said.
“He himself is a legal U.S citizen,” he said. “But when he comes back, he’s going to be without his mother and his father. He’s going to be stripped away from his family.”
Cher • Feb 7, 2026 at 1:24 pm
These kids should be focusing on their studies. They protest and they don’t have a clue why. As a matter of fact, our youth don’t even know we have 50 states. Pathetic. The liberals have been indoctrinating our youth for years.
M. A McLaughlin • Feb 7, 2026 at 12:15 am
The students are learning from Socialist / Communist teachers at the school. Plus media that is in agreement with over throw of the United States of America.