On Feb. 25, many students collaborated and executed an organized walk-out to protest against ICE along Telegraph Rd. 

This was derived from the events that have followed Operation Metro Surge, an ICE and CBP operation mainly in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn., that started in December of 2025. The goal of this operation is to remove immigrants who lack permanent legal status from the areas. During the operation, media attention brought focus to the deaths of several U.S. citizens by ICE agents that occurred, which has sparked a wave of protests, with many high school students staging protests of their own in the past few weeks. 

“I hope to achieve awareness knowing that the younger generation is indeed concerned, and I hope that seeing high school kids outside on the street communicates to some of the older people that this is an issue that we need to solve,” Samantha Clem (9) said.

Nejra Bradaric (12) was one of the students who helped organize the group chat and later communicated with OHS administration the goals and plans of this event. 

“I understand that administration is doing their job, but we have a message to get out and have the right to walk out and show the school that Oakville students are aware of what’s going on and we know that ICE are horrible, killing people,” Bradaric said.

Those who were involved in the protest were told to wear blue.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Tristan Howard

Students protest against ICE Feb. 25, 2026.

“The message behind the blue shirts is just unity. We just want to make sure that everyone was wearing blue to show which people were protesting,” Bradaric said. “It helps administration as well and just represents unity as well — like us being together and being here to share our message.”

For many that were involved, the message of unity and awareness was carried throughout.

“This means a lot, especially since I was born in America. I think it’s really good that American citizens are doing stuff about this and I have a lot of friends that aren’t white, so it’s hard for them to have this equality,” Stella Kolb (11) said. “And I think it is really beautiful that all of these humans are coming together and doing this together …”

For some, this carried a much deeper meaning than awareness. 

“My parents came here from Bosnia and are immigrants, so it means a lot to me to show representation by being out here and showing everyone the message and showing what Oakville can do,” Bradaric said. 

Getting to this level of awareness and support took time and faced some backlash.

“In the very beginning, it was very small, but many people have grown to it and as you can see, there are people driving by who don’t like it, but if they don’t like it, they don’t have to do anything about it …” Kolb said.

Those who supported the event felt strong about their decision because they viewed it as within their abilities.

“[This event] shows that we are not afraid to show our First Amendment rights to protest and have free speech. We left class and now we’re at the side of a main road protesting change that we want done,” Parker Wyatt (12) said. “I think it’s amazing.”