A schoolwide walkout led by Ladue students Jan. 20 protested immigrant detainments and the killing of Minnesotan resident Renee Nicole Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents. After a surge of reported violent, forceful acts by ICE agents, protests have circulated nationwide and recently hit the St. Louis area. Amongst those taking action by protest are several students who are passionate about making a change in their community. 

Brockden Miller (11) attended a protest march Jan. 15 organized by the Party of Socialism and Liberation to address recent events of both Good’s killing and the arrival of ICE agents in St. Louis. 

“What drew me [towards protesting] was that earlier that day, we were having a discussion in my history class about current events,” Miller said. “My sister is always talking about trying to get out there in the world and actually do something, and that inspired me to realize that there are things people can do to actively make a change and have their beliefs be represented.” 

Besides walkouts and marches, another form of protest that students like Reese Dickhaus (11) participated in is advocacy events. Most recently, Dickhaus attended a vigil Jan. 9 to honor the life of Good.

“Since it was a vigil, the atmosphere was rather peaceful but also sad,” Dickhaus said. “Not a lot of people thought that it would get this bad. Most people were talking quietly and holding up candles, with some offering their extra candles to people without one.” 

Miller recognizes limitations of transportation and welfare for younger protesters, but continues to emphasize the importance of youth action and involvement. 

“It’s important for high schoolers to have a voice on this type of thing because this is our generation,” Miller said. “This is our future that’s being taken into consideration. It doesn’t matter how old you are. The idea of what ICE does and families being torn apart affects anybody at any age. There doesn’t have to be a limit on that.”

While Miller stresses the importance of fighting for a cause, he also offers advice on how to protest safely and ensure confidence in a time of controversy. 

“One piece of advice is to make sure you’re going somewhere you’re familiar with and going with people you’re familiar with,” Miller said. “Don’t go alone. If you’re nervous about what people would think of you or whether or not it’s your place, I would say be passionate about what you believe in. Spread the word to others if you want to.” 

Alongside safety, another concern involves impact. The belief that protesting should produce immediate change rather than gradual progress can cause some students to doubt the effectiveness and hesitate to take action. However, Dickhaus debunks this ideology, believing that any action is better than none at all.

“Some people think that protesting does nothing, but that’s not true,” Dickhaus said. “There’s a reason that people have been protesting throughout history. The government has to know that people are upset, and remaining silent will only make them more confident in their violence. While there is some risk in protesting, there is more risk in doing nothing. Living in Ladue, most of us aren’t going to be a target, so we need to be there for those who are.”