Kansas high school accused of promoting anti-ICE student walkout

Students at Free State High School in Lawrence, Kansas, participated in walkout Tuesday to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prompting concerns from parents about political activism inside public schools.

The walkout took place during regular class hours and drew hundreds of students outside the building. Lawrence is a college town of roughly 100,000 residents in northeastern Kansas. Free State High School serves about 1,800 students and is part of the Lawrence Public Schools district. 

A video shared online by Libs of TikTok argued the protest was not only permitted but actively supported by the school. Students were told they would not face disciplinary consequences for leaving class, according to the post. 

“Students at Free State High School in Kansas say the school advertised the anti-ICE student protest and assured students they wouldn’t face any consequences for staging a walkout in middle of school to scream about ICE,” the post said. 

The same post alleged that school staff provided supplies to protesters. 

“The school eve(n) gave out hand warmers so they can comfortably hold their anti-ICE and anti-Trump signs and teachers even joined them in the walk-out,” it added. 

A student interviewed in the video said teachers attended the walkout in a supervisory role and distributed the hand warmers to students. 

A similar walkout was held by Lawrence High School the same day, the Lawrence Times reported. 

Students said videos circulating online motivated them to join the protest, the report said. 

One Lawrence High School student told the outlet, “We’re here because they’re killing people and it’s not right. No one obviously deserves to be separated from their family.” 

The two high schools have previously allowed walkouts supporting other left-wing causes, including transgender activism and abortion rights. 

While district officials have not publicly addressed whether the walkout violated school policy, the incident has drawn criticism from parents who argue public schools should focus on education rather than political messaging. Critics say allowing class-time protests, especially those opposing law enforcement, reflects a one-sided ideological environment that marginalizes families with more traditional views. 

Public schools routinely insist on neutrality in matters of religion, often limiting religious expression to the bare minimum required by law. When political activism aligns with progressive causes, however, critics say school administrators are far more accommodating. 

Photo credit: Screenshot (YouTube/The Lawrence Times)