Kat Piantka | Editor-in-Chief
February 6, 2026
On January 30, SCHS students joined millions across the country in protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) human rights violations, the Trump administration, and the horrific events that have occurred in Minneapolis, MN, by participating in a walkout after Tide Time.
Despite San Clemente’s reputation for conservatism, earning the nickname “San CleMAGA,” well over 300 students enthusiastically expressed their dissatisfaction with the current state of our nation and the administration’s abusive and (arguably) totalitarian use of power. Regardless of students’ political preferences and beliefs, they stood united in protest.
Our nation is a land of immigrants who shared a dream of building a better future and life for their families, giving rise to the idea of the “American Dream.” The U.S. is supposed to set a precedent for the world, serve as a moral light, and embody the democratic ideals that inspired our founding fathers to create a country based on a common hope, freedom, and unity. But the Trump administration is destroying those very dreams that inspired our nation’s creation.
High school students are the future of this nation and therefore have a responsibility to be the voice that others cannot be. It is our right to speak out against these emerging threats to democracy and injustices resulting from ICE’s abuse of power and violent actions.
Those in attendance proudly expressed their beliefs and stood up against ICE. Junior Annabelle Strutton argued that participation in the protest was so important because “it proves to our peers, in our wealthy and highly conservative city, that people like them care.” Strutton makes a valid point: many people in San Clemente and at SCHS turn a blind eye to injustice and are unaware of real-world issues as they are consumed by their own busy lives. Most students are worried about whether they will have a date to the next dance, Friday night plans, or start in their next game. They don’t have to live in constant worry of a family member being deported simply for having the “wrong” skin color. Just because these issues don’t affect you directly, this does not mean you should be dismissive or ignorant of these concerns affecting our community.
Another student, sophomore Summer Luciani, was “so glad [that she] got to stand with so many other like-minded students against the unconstitutional violence that’s happening within [this] country.” This peaceful walkout was a great opportunity for students to express themselves freely, connect with their peers, and make their voices heard.
As a daughter of an immigrant, I am appalled and fearful of the current state of our nation and the growing divisiveness. Frankly, I am apprehensive about publishing this article given the censorship of our media and potential backlash from within the community. But, I believe I have an obligation as a U.S. citizen, future voter, and student to stand up for my beliefs and be a voice for those who are not heard. Trump declared that only the most violent criminals would be deported, but that clearly is not the case. We have to speak up for the children who are detained in ICE detention camps, for the parents who never came home from work, kids who never came home from school, and all those who are marginalized for the color of their skin and beliefs, and above all, for the future generations who will live in this new reality.
On Friday, students left the protest feeling fulfilled and proud of their efforts to make a wave within a sea of conservatives and ICE advocates. And for the first time, amid this era of fear and uncertainty, students felt hopeful because they realized they were not alone and that their voices could now be heard. While our differences may be small, students like Strutton hope that “[she] brought ICE into the view of people privileged enough to remain unaffected and into [the] discussion of America’s future.”
My take-home message to readers is that this is not a political matter; this is a fight to defend human rights. ICE enforcement cannot be normalized. This is not America; this is not who we are and how we want to be remembered.
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