Hundreds of Tri-City students plan walkouts this week. What we know
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tri-City high school students plan coordinated walkouts Friday to protest ICE.
- Districts warn unsanctioned demonstrations could trigger absences and discipline.
- Students retain First Amendment rights both on and off campus.
Hundreds of Tri-City students could walk out of school Friday in protest of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and the deaths of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis.
Students from at least five high schools — Richland High School, Hanford High School, Kennewick High School, Kamiakin High School and Southridge High School — are expected to participate in protests.
The Tri-City Herald has not confirmed any events in Pasco schools. Last week, dozens of high schoolers there walked out of class and marched down Court Street to protest similar issues.
Kamiakin Senior Ruby Johnson said they’ve been inspired by their peers in Pasco. She expects at least two dozen students in her school to join her in a noon walkout and march down to the corner of Edison Street and Clearwater Avenue.
Federal officers allegedly shot and killed an armed observer over the weekend while conducting immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. This is the second time this month that federal forces there have killed an American citizen.
These school demonstrations appear to be coordinated in tandem with a nationwide anti-ICE “shutdown” on the same day. Those activists are calling for “no work, no school, no shopping” on Friday.
Johnson characterized the turmoil and chaos in the Midwest as “horrible and tragic.”
“I think seeing that really was the driving force in motivating all of us to stand up and wanting to say something. Even if it’s not happening in our community, it’s just super unjust and not OK,” she said.
Friday’s protests will be peaceful, polite and safe, she said. They will remain on sidewalks and are creating signs free of profanity.
Johnson said some students are afraid of what their parents or community might think, but overall they feel their cause is righteous and are mostly excited.
These protests are not sanctioned by the schools, and participation has not been encouraged by the districts. Students should expect to be marked absent from their classes.
“We’re excited to see all the other schools that are going to show up and support their communities,” she said. “Just because the Tri-Cities is a more conservative area, It was really exciting to see all the support we got from our community.”
Where are high school protests planned?
Students are planning Friday walkouts at various locations in the Tri-Cities. Many will likely last the rest of the school day.
Expect to see students marching and waving signs on sidewalks here:
- Kamiakin High School: 11:35 a.m. along Edison, between Clearwater and Metaline Avenue.
- Southridge High School: 10:45 a.m. along Southridge Boulevard, between the crosswalks and Gesa Carousel of Dreams.
- Kennewick High School: 11:30 a.m. along Garfield Street, between Lampson Stadium and 1st Avenue.
- Hanford High School: 10:20 a.m. near the George Washington Way bus stop. Students will march along George Washington Way.
- Richland High School: 11:15 a.m. near the Thayer Drive bus stop. Students will march to George Washington Way using Swift Boulevard.
What are school districts saying about this?
Kennewick School District encourages students to explore their beliefs in “respectful and constructive ways,” and it is “committed to maintaining a learning environment that supports the educational experience of all students,” according to a letter sent last week to families.
District policy and state law do not allow protests and demonstrations to take place in classrooms or to disrupt instruction throughout the school day.
Students who skip class in Kennewick schools will be marked absent.
“Any demonstrations must take place on public sidewalks, not on school grounds, to comply with district policy and state law,” the letter read. “Disruptive conduct will be addressed according to our district’s student behavior policies.”
Administrators from Richland School District said they “respect students’ rights to express themselves and understands that students may choose to participate in activities such as walkouts.”
“The district has communicated expectations regarding safety and attendance to students and staff. Students who choose to leave campus during the school day must follow established attendance procedures and be excused by a parent or guardian,” Richland’s statement read.
Pasco School District also sent out a letter last week to families. Principals and staff will continue to monitor student activity, and provide student guidance for activity off campus.
“PSD wants students and families to know that we take student concerns seriously and recognize students’ rights to express their views in a peaceful, respectful, and safe manner. At the same time, our responsibility is to ensure the safety, supervision, and well-being of all students on campus and to maintain a safe learning environment,” the district’s letter read.
Standard district attendance and discipline processes will apply. Students who leave class or campus without permission will be marked absent.
The district encourages families to talk with their students about “making thoughtful, safe choices.”
Do students have free speech rights?
Students do not fully shed their First Amendments rights when they enter school grounds.
The 1969 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Tinker v. Des Moines guaranteed students the right to campus speech on the condition that it does not interrupt the learning environment. The case centered around students at an Iowa school who planned to wear black armbands as part of a silent protest against the Vietnam War.
Outside of schools, students have essentially the same rights to protest and speak out as anyone else, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.
Schools can still discipline students for walkouts, but the punishment cannot be harsher due to the message or political nature of their actions. Protesting students should also be given the same rights to make up work as others who miss class for separate reasons.
This story was originally published January 28, 2026 at 7:00 AM.
