Carly, left, and Johan, seniors at Central Bucks South High School, are pictured on Feb. 6, 2026 holding a sign across from North Penn High School where an anti-ICE walk out and protest took place. Rachel Ravina
Students in schools across Montgomery County have been walking out of class to protest immigration enforcement activities in their communities, including Pottsgrove and Norristown area high schools.
North Penn High School students participated in an anti-ICE protest earlier this month as they braved freezing temperatures to demonstrate, hold signs, play music, and chant. Cars and trucks honked as they traveled along Valley Forge Road in support of the students. Drivers could be heard shouting “power to the students,” “no justice, no peace, no ICE in our streets.”
A group of people gathered across the street to stand in solidarity with the youth protesters.
News spreads
Many learned of the student-led protest through social media and commended the youth for their initiative. Carly and Johan, two Central Bucks South High School seniors, were among them.
“It’s my first protest. Never been to one before. It’s really empowering. It shows the new generation will make progressive changes,” Carly said. Carly and Johan held a banner of their own with a message for passersby along Valley Forge Road: “ICE out of our cities.”
The sentiments come as federal agents have maintained a presence throughout the greater Philadelphia region as part of an ongoing federal immigration crackdown that’s become a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Carly and Johan said they have friends who attend the Montgomery County-based high school and wanted to show support. They watched their peers from another school and they wanted to make their own voices heard.
“I know a lot of people in Bucks County – ICE is there right now. So they’re already coming for our neighbors in our community,” Johan said. “So … we’re trying to get a policy push to enforce immigration protection in the schools so the staff in case an ICE agent does come in.”
While acknowledging they skipped school to attend the Feb. 6 demonstration, Johan said, “we’re willing to do all this to protect each other.” Carly agreed.
“I hope we showed we’re able to do something we’re not supposed to do [to] fight for our country,” she said.
