The walkout at East Lansing High School was one of hundreds of student-led protests responding to the death of Renée Nicole Good, a woman killed in an encounter with an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier in January 2026. Hundreds of students walked out of class at East Lansing High School on January 9, 2026, organized by the club Students for Political Action, to protest the actions of ICE and call attention to deportations and multiple previous instances.
Student leaders emphasized that the walkout was a way for students to engage with political issues they care about, and they mentioned broader concerns about safety, justice, and immigrant rights. The school district’s administration publicly supported the students’ right to protest, working to ensure the event was safe and peaceful.
The East Lansing walkout wasn’t the only walkout and or protest occurring. Across Michigan, students at dozens of high schools and universities participated in similar demonstrations throughout January and early February 2026.
While these protests vary in sizes, yet they reflect a bigger trend of political engagement from students, especially around issues like immigration and civil rights. It is clear that young people are increasingly using public demonstrations to express their views and advocate for change. Some supporters argue that these actions will raise awareness and pressure leaders to reconsider policies. Critics, including some educators and parents, argue that walkouts disrupt learning and should be handled inside the school system’s rules. This tension reflects the broader national conversation about the role of students in political activism.
On February 5th, 2026, at Grand Ledge Highschool a walkout was hosted during C3. This walkout was organized by SMAC. Students Making a Change (SMAC) is a student-run club focused on student engagement and important topics. Many key speakers, such as Asher McFadden and Indya Fitzpatrick, stood at the front of the cafeteria and spoke about the harms of ICE. The walkout was planned to go against ICE and show a population of students who disapprove of immigration enforcement. While East Lansing was a walkout and a march outside, the walkout at Grand Ledge occurred indoors, where most went back to classes after being marked absent unexcused from their C3 classes.
