photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Protesters gather in Veteran’s Park on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

Hundreds of Lawrence and Free State High School students walked out of class Tuesday to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The walkout came after two Minneapolis residents were killed in January by federal immigration enforcement agent. In a social media post, community groups Sanctuary Alliance and University of Kansas Students for Justice in Palestine called upon “KU students, faculty, staff and all Lawrence community members to join the highschoolers with their walkout against ICE.”

The students and community members protesting at Lawrence High met at the intersection of 19th and Louisiana streets, and many gathered at the nearby Veterans Park. For those participating in the Free State walk-out, people gathered at a grassy area on the corner of Overland and Wakarusa drives.

“Throughout the United States’ history, students and young people have led the struggle for justice and progress … our Lawrence High and Free State students are walking out to protest the terror of ICE in the Twin Cities and nationwide. As a union of school workers, we stand in solidarity with our students and with unions across the country, fighting for the schools and communities our students deserve,” members of the Lawrence Education Association said in a statement on social media.

In a statement from Superintendent Jeanice Swift, she told families and community members that the Lawrence school district recognizes the rights of students who may choose to exercise their first amendment rights to participate in a peaceful walkout or protest event.

“In keeping with our core values in Lawrence Public Schools, all students and staff will remain respectful and supportive of all others throughout all protest events, whether participating, or refraining from participation,” Swift said in the statement.

As a part of district protocol, during student protest events, supervision is provided to all students while on district campuses, whether they choose to walk out during the time of protest or whether they choose not to participate in the protest activity. Instruction will continue in classrooms for those students who choose to remain in class.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

People gathered to protest ICE at the corner of 19th and Louisiana on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Protesters pass Lawrence High School on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A protester holds a sign in front of Lawrence High School on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Lawrence High School students protest outside the school on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

A driver drove by a Lawrence High School protest with a “No Ice” sign on the vehicle on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

A protester leads the crowd in chants at Veterans Park on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde/Special to the Journal-World

Lawrence High School students protest outside the school on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

People protest ICE outside of Lawrence High School on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

photo by: Josie Heimsoth/Journal-World

Protesters gathered at the corner of 19th and Louisiana on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.