Cadets March Out To Tieton
On Jan 30, 2026, Eisenhower High School held an anti-ICE walkout, along with many other schools, including West Valley, East Valley, Davis, and others across the nation. Hundreds of students showed up with flags, signs, speakers, and attitudes to amplify and show how they truly feel about the ongoing problem the United States faces: the abuse of power in immigration and border security. With how much fear and worry is still circulating across all Americans, we truly need to voice our opinions in this critical time when we are being silenced on the topic of basic human rights.
One of the lead organizers of the protest for Ike, Katherine Fure, who is also part of the Washington Youth Alliance, stated that, “The protest was a big, incredible event, and it was wonderful to see exactly how much everyone in this community actually cares and is willing to take action… I'm so proud of the event in general, and of everyone who showed up and took part, and I'm especially thankful to those who helped make it possible.” She reminds us that us students gathering to protest is truly more than just a “simple event”, but one where we can speak our minds on what we truly know is right. Pushing against those who silence us just because our “young minds can comprehend what we are talking about.”
Days before the protest, a parent of a Yakima student stated that this protest was instilled in us by our teachers and advisors. That all of this was propaganda placed in the students' minds, preventing us from thinking for ourselves. But that's exactly the opposite. We went out and attended this protest out of the fact that we know the damage ICE is marking on communities across the US. The deaths and injuries that have occurred due to abuse of power are a horrendously large-scale problem that affects everyone in the United States, no matter what your resident status or race is.
Even though the anti-ICE protest was successful, that does not mean this work against ICE is done. Katherine also stated, “protesting is not a one-and-done thing…The worst thing to do in the face of violence and violations of human rights is to be quiet. I really hope to continue seeing people speak up against ICE, telling the government how much immigrants matter, and preserving the rights of human beings, because nobody is illegal on stolen land.”
What we need to remember is that, as the new generation coming up, we who will be involved in politics as we get older, need to be the change we want to see. For now, it will be us speaking out, but in the future, we'll be the ones taking action on the things that truly need to happen for all to have equal rights and not be treated as animals.
