Inside Central Gwinnett High School's student-led ICE walkout

Students from Central Gwinnett High School stand on the sidewalk outside the school building on Jan. 30, 2026, as part of a nationwide student walkout over ICE actions in Minneapolis and other cities across the country. (Maya Omar)

Minutes before the 1:30 p.m. student walkout against ICE at Central Gwinnett High School (CGHS) on Friday, Rejhana Dedić, an organizer and friend, texted me, “It’s better to do it scared, than to not do it at all, right?”

The question reminded me that courage is not blind to fear. Courage is acting in the face of fear. Dedić, Olvin Avila, Moyinoluwa Olayemi, Tran Chau, and Emerson Green were the key organizers of the walkout, and with support from others, like myself and Kylo McCormick, an organizer of a previous walkout, they embodied this sentiment.

Avila, president of the CGHS Hispanic Organization for Promoting Education (HoPe) chapter and city youth councilmember, first proposed the idea to us on Jan. 23. The planning began within the hour. This collective concern has been recently amplified by alleged sightings of ICE in the city of Lawrenceville. Organizers sent CGHS administration an email outlining two objectives: to stand in solidarity with victims of ICE-perpetrated misconduct and violence, and to encourage the administration to issue a public statement affirming the school’s commitment to protect its students in the event of ICE action. The organizers were not asking for permission, but defense, proclamation and clarification.

The five students were called into a meeting with the administration Tuesday to iron out the details. After discussing the plan with administration, the organizers posted a video on the official walkout Instagram page to make it clear that no one in the building would try to hinder the movement. They offered reassurance that the greatest consequence students could receive would be attendance consequences, if any at all.

Gwinnett County Public Schools later released a statement via email. They supported the initiatives taken by student leaders who work with their school administrations to orchestrate peaceful protests. In it, Interim Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor said, “…When we work together, students are better prepared to participate responsibly in our community.”

Though many other Gwinnett County schools took part in the walkouts, the CGHS organizers were particularly vocal about the importance of a written statement. As a county with a significant immigrant population, Dr. Taylor’s message helped emphasize the urgency of our cause.

Students from Central Gwinnett High School rally outside the school building on Jan. 30, 2026, as part of a nationwide student walkout over ICE actions in Minneapolis and other cities across the country. (Maya Omar)

Meet at the flagpole

An estimated 400+ students took part in the walkout—roughly one-sixth of the total student population. Faculty and staff stood in front of additional exits, outlining the route for students to take out to the flagpole in front of the building. Student leaders wore vests and held megaphones, guiding us to the football field, chanting along the way. We ended our march on the sidewalk, facing a road full of parents, bus drivers and passersby who showed their support from their vehicles.

As I photographed and spoke with students, it was apparent that the youth of Lawrenceville were hurting and tired of being told they cannot act. I found that this hurt fueled their tenacity. Each demonstrator, positioned along Gwinnett Drive, had a compelling reason for participating. Rennie Sommers, a senior, said, “Everyone is human. The fact that some people can’t see that humanity is appalling. I walked out because I believe in collective action; I believe that when people join together as a community, we can accomplish so much.”

We spoke further about the ICE presence in Minneapolis. “It is absolutely terrifying, but even if you’re scared, you should go out and protest anyway, if you care at all for your fellow human beings.” Rennie is just one of many students who feel it is their responsibility to participate in strides toward change.

The students at Central Gwinnett, a school with a large concentration of immigrants and first-generation Americans, like myself, will remain firm in their purpose. The bravery of those who organized the event, and all who conveyed the message despite uncertainty, including our Student Resource Officers and administrators, revealed an undeniable truth: when the safety of a neighbor is at stake, fear is secondary to action. Rejhana’s question was answered in the footsteps of every student who chose to do it scared, together.