Hundreds of West High students walk out of class as part of nationwide protest against ICE

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Long lines of students poured out of West Anchorage High School just after noon on Friday, many carrying signs and chanting, the walk-out corresponding with a national event that urged an end to violence involving federal immigration officers.

“We are protesting ICE enforcers that are in our community and in our nation,” said student organizer Ruby Kelsey. “We want action in the legislature; we want action in Congress.”

The walk-out comes after two American citizens were killed this month during clashes with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol officers in Minnesota; Renee Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, on Jan. 24. Both were 37.

ICE operations in Minneapolis were reportedly winding down late Thursday, according to President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, who maintained a drawdown plan from the Minneapolis area is possible, but said he’ll remain there until “the problem is gone.” What exactly that means remains unclear.

Hundreds of students in Anchorage eft the campus Friday to walk down Minnesota Drive, sometimes getting appreciative honks from drivers passing by.

Other protests have cropped up in Anchorage, with dozens of people showing up the previous Sunday in downtown Anchorage.

“If Alaska doesn’t stand with Minneapolis, ICE will come here and do the exact same thing they’re doing,” said 16-year-old Lars Skinner-Reed, another student organizer.

Miley Kakaruk, an Alaskan Native student with Iñupiat roots, said ICE has inspired fear closer to home.

“I have two Indigenous parents but I grew up surrounded by so many people of color, my family friends, they come from the Philippines, they come from all over,” She said. “And it’s really sad to see them be so scared when they’ve done nothing wrong.”

A spokesperson for the Anchorage School District wrote in an email they were unaware of any other protests in the district besides the one at West."

“ASD respects the rights of those who choose to protest peacefully but the safety of our students and staff will remain our top priority,” the district statement read. “Staff and security monitor the events to keep everyone safe.”