On February 9, 2026, at 8:00 AM, several hundred WPHS students marched out of the building, flooding the streets and sidewalks of White Plains.

These students took part in a walk-out protest that lasted for roughly two and a half hours. The protest focused on President Trump’s harsh immigration enforcement policies. More specifically, the protest expressed the students’ outrage regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, and their indiscriminate brutality towards citizens and non-citizens alike.

The students walked from the high school down Mamaroneck Avenue, then down to White Plains Library. From there, they traveled to White Plains’ courthouse and finally to City Center before circling back.

One protester who wishes to remain anonymous commented on why they joined the walk and what the walk meant to them.

“I decided to join the walk because I think that it’s one of the most important things that I can do as an American citizen to make sure that my voice, even as a minor, is heard.”

They reflect on the excitement that accompanied the initial walk out.

“In the beginning, there was such a thrill that we were actually doing it… there was so much adrenaline that we were doing something that was, kind of, breaking the rules.”

They go on to comment on the support of the community.

“I think a lot of people very much supported us…they agreed with what we were protesting [for]. So many people stopped and honked at us to make more noise. I think a lot of people were honestly proud of us because I know that we’re young but trying to make a difference.”

“This is us seizing our first amendment rights.”

The students were accompanied by the White Plains Police Department for the majority of the walk. They were there to ensure the safety of the students and staff, according to Mr. Martinez, the school’s principal.

I was one of the students who took part in this protest. I had heard about it that same morning, and I am sure many others had just as little notice as me.

When the procession first crossed the road, I was appalled. I had thought we would walk to the end of the street and come back.

In total, I ended up walking almost 3 miles.

While some have considered leaving America for some other, less turbulent country, one person said, “America has always been a beacon for people from all around the world because of the values it represents. We have to stay and fight for it.”

White Plains can proudly join a larger movement of students around the country standing up for our communities and making their voices heard.

As America slips and slides closer to authoritarianism, in the icy, bitter cold, I felt hope for the future for the first time in a long time.