Students walk out of North Penn High School on Feb. 6, 2026, participating in an anti-ICE demonstration outside the school building in Towamencin Township. Photo by Rachel Ravina | The Reporter.
Community members stand in solidarity with student demonstrators
More than a hundred North Penn High School students walked out of school Friday in a planned protest against immigration enforcement actions in the community and the nation. The protesters were joined by about two dozen residents standing across the street shouting messages of support.
As students walked out of the building, a steady stream grew through the parking lot to the edge of the property along Valley Forge Road, braving frigid temperatures and carrying signs that stated their objections to the federal immigration crackdown that’s become a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s second term in office.
Music was playing, as demonstrators shouted, “power to the students,” “no justice, no peace, no ICE in our streets,” “no one is illegal on stolen land,” and “when I say ‘ICE’ you say ‘out,’ ICE out.” Cars and trucks honked in support as they passed on Valley Forge Road.
North Penn High School students hold up signs as they walk out of classes on Feb. 6, 2026 as part of an anti-ICE demonstration outside the school in Towamencin Township.
North Penn High School students form a line on Feb. 6, 2026 as they walk out of the building to protest against immigration enforcement.
A steady stream of students walk out of North Penn High School on Feb. 6, 2026 to demonstrate along Valley Forge Road in Towmamencin Township.
North Penn High School students hold up posters while standing on snow on Feb. 6, 2026 to participate in walk out as part of an anti-ICE demonstration outside the school in Towamencin Township.
North Penn High School students participate in a walk out on Feb. 6, 2026 in Towamencin Township in protest of immigration enforcement.Adults show solidarity
Across the street, area residents gathered on the sidewalk holding signs of their own as they stood in solidarity with the student demonstrators. “You guys are brave. You guys are strong,” someone shouted.
“Students stand on the right side of history. They know what’s up,” a demonstrator said.
Many learned of the student-led protest through social media and commended the youth for their initiative. Upper Gwynedd Township resident Amanda Lester said her daughter, a North Penn High School junior, designed the digital posters that circulated ahead of the walk-out.
“At first, I wasn’t super supportive of her skipping class, of course, but then I realized this is bigger than that, and missing one class is not as big as supporting her community. I’m very proud of her,” Lester said.
Lester said she appreciated the efforts of her daughter and the other students involved who met with school leadership when planning the demonstration.
“We recognize the importance of the right to free speech, value our students’ voices and recognize their right to express their beliefs. This said, we also have an obligation to school rules and expectations, and walking out of class or school creates significant safety concerns,” Principal Kyle Hassler said in a message to students and families ahead of Friday’s walk-out.
Hassler warned of consequences for students who opted to participate, including being marked as skipping class and they would not receive credit for missed assignments or assessments.
“These expectations are not intended to discourage student expression, but rather reflect the school’s obligation to uphold attendance and instructional policies during the school day,” Hassler said in a statement.
Large district
North Penn School District has 12,808 students enrolled across 17 schools, according to a school district spokesperson. Of those, 2025 school district data lists 52 percent white, 20.9 percent Asian and 10.2 percent Hispanic. Around 3,100 students attend North Penn High School.
A number of municipalities have publicly issued immigration-related policies in recent months as advocates continued urging more stringent protections for undocumented immigrants. The Norristown Area School District instituted its own guidelines back in January 2025, but North Penn School District has no policy set, per a school district spokesperson.
Montco Community Watch, a grassroots organization focused on documenting immigration enforcement activities, has documented at least 114 detainments in the county since June 2025 as advocates repeatedly blasted the conduct of federal agents who’ve maintained a presence in and around the county seat of Norristown. In one of the more visible raids, 14 undocumented individuals were detained in July 2025 at a West Norriton Township grocery store.
“We have to do something. I can’t sit home and just read and read. I have to get out and do something,” said Willow Grove resident Donna Lockard, a North Penn High School alumna.
“It’s important to protect marginalized people that are being targeted and attacked in our community,” said Skippack resident Mary Calderin. “It’s to show up, and protect them, and show up for them, and nobody’s going to be equal until everybody’s equal.”
Area residents hold signs in solidarity with North Penn High School students who walked out of class on Feb. 6, 2026 to participate in an anti-ICE demonstration.
A demonstrator holds up a “hands off our neighbors” sign on Feb. 6, 2026 on Valley Forge Road in Towamencin Township.
Upper Gwynedd Township resident Amanda Lester holds up a sign on Feb. 6, 2026 while standing on the other side of Valley Forge Road in Towamencin Township where North Penn High School students walked out of classes to protest.
Area residents hold signs while standing across from a North Penn High School student demonstration on Feb. 6, 2026 in Towamencin Township.
Community members stand on the sidewalk along Valley Forge Road in solidarity with North Penn High School students participating in a walk out as part of an anti-ICE protest on Feb. 6, 2026.
A driver in passenger inside a vehicle traveling along Valley Forge Road wave to community members and North Penn High School students participating in an anti-ICE demonstration on Feb. 6, 2026.Periodic protests have popped up across Montgomery County throughout the last year protesting Trump and immigration policies. Demonstrations have recently ramped up across the nation and here locally in recent weeks in the wake of the fatal shootings of a 37-year-old man and a 37-year old woman by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis last month.
“I wanted to come out to support the North Penn students who are using their voice to stand up for the people who don’t have voices or they are afraid to speak out against ICE and the atrocities in the streets,” a demonstrator said. “And I don’t believe ICE has any place in our community — in Lansdale, or anywhere for that matter.”
Robin Biscardi, of Harleysville, applauded the students for their involvement and emphasized its importance.
“I think they need to be engaged in what is happening because it’s impacting them, their friends, their neighborhoods,” Biscardi said, calling for more participation from other students who would follow North Penn’s lead.
“I would love to see Souderton. I would love to see other schools in the area,” she said.
