By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
Students of Central High School conducted and participated in an anti-ICE walkout during school hours on Wednesday.
This walkout was organized by the local Youth Protection Alliance (YPA), which is the Salina chapter of the Global Youth Protection Alliance.
The head organizer was a male Central student and told Salina Post, he and others students put this together because they are wanting to spread the message that what "ICE is doing is wrong."
"They are not on the right side of things," he said. "We hope to gain the attention from the school and those who are pro-ICE, by showing them we are not afraid in fighting for justice and against racism and discrimination."
According to the student, YPA protects the youth of Kansas by informing them of their rights.
"We inform them to fight for what they can have and what they do not have at the moment," he said."
He said the group received pushback from the community after word spread about the walkout and his response to those people is "they are on the wrong side of history."
A mother of one of the students participating was present during the walkout.
"I am here supporting my child and I want them to exercise their constitutional rights," she said.
She added she does not agree with how ICE is managing immigration, by saying they are "too violent."
"I know countries need to protect borders, but not in this way."
Other parents and adults were protesting alongside the students as well.
Jerry Hinrikus, host of KINA Coffee Talk on 910 AM/107.5 FM was across the street during the walkout. He said the students should be in school and if they wanted to protest, that they should have done it after school hours.
"We pay taxpayer dollars and student's grades are not that high," he said. "They should be in class studying."
Many students during the protest were holding up signs that stated "defund, abolish and prosecute ICE."
Hinrikus gave his response to that.
"You need to ask them, how many illegals have killed and sexually assaulted people? The numbers are staggering and these students don't even know that, which is the sad part."
Johnnie Keller who ran for City Commission during the 2025 general election, watched from across the street as well.
"To hear people say get rid of their organization, because they are enforcing the rule of law and then we have adults in this holding up the American flag upside down really frustrates me," said Keller. "We have kids waving a Mexican flag, so which country are you loyal to?"
Keller stated he is a retired teacher and thinks students are not being taught well, with teachers "indoctrinating" them.
"I think teaching should be about civics, math, english, history and even showing kids how to read and write in cursive," he said. "I would have never allowed my kids to participate in this."
Salina USD 305 released a statement before the walkout happened:
Salina Public Schools is aware of recent social media posts and emails circulating regarding a potential student walkout.
These messages did not originate from official district communications channels and were not approved by the district. Salina Public Schools is not sponsoring, organizing or endorsing any walkout activities.
Salina Public Schools values and respects student perspectives and recognizes students’ constitutional right to express their views in a lawful and peaceful manner. However, walkouts are not sponsored, organized or endorsed by any member of the staff, school or district. Our staff’s role remains neutral, with a focus on supporting student safety and maintaining a quality educational environment.
Salina Public Schools will continue to abide by all state and federal laws and Board of Education policies. Ensuring the safety of our students and staff remains our top priority as we maintain a safe, quality learning environment and protect instructional time. The school day will proceed as usual and SPS expects all students to attend class, adhering to our attendance policy.
We encourage families to have thoughtful, open conversations with their students about civic engagement and expectations surrounding school attendance. We thank our parents, guardians and community for their partnership in maintaining a safe, conducive learning environment that supports student success.