Hundreds of students from both Nashua high schools gathered at Stellos Stadium on Feb. 4 during the walkout to protest ICE. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

NASHUA – In response to the ongoing violence perpetrated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, hundreds of students from both Nashua high schools walked out of class on Feb. 4 to protest the federal agency.

“We’re not free until we’re all free,” said Keegan Dolan, a senior at Nashua High School South, during the deafening protest at Stellos Stadium.

Dolan said the violence in Minneapolis, resulting in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, became too much to bear. She also said the plan for an ICE detention facility in Merrimack is particularly alarming.

“It really hit home, that’s right next door,” said Dolan.

Unable to stand by and watch any longer, she and her friends decided to do something and organized a walkout.

Keegan Dolan, a senior at Nashua High School South, leads her classmates to Stellos Stadium on Feb. 4 during the walkout to protest ICE. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

Starting at Nashua South, a line of high school students, with signs and banners, stretched along Riverside Street as they made their way to the stadium.

“Our voices do have power,” said Dolan. “We wanted to use our right to speak.”

During the protest, some students spoke about being the children and grandchildren of immigrants while others spoke about friends or family members who are currently being held by ICE.

Max Friday, a junior at Nashua High School South, said the violent deportation of legal U.S. citizens is not the way to enforce immigration laws.

“This is not the America that was promised,” he said. “Protection should never come at the cost of humanity.”

Hundreds of students from both Nashua high schools gathered at Stellos Stadium on Feb. 4 during the walkout to protest ICE. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON

Although he did not condone students leaving school to participate in the walkout, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mario Andrade still honored their rights under the First Amendment.

“Our priority is maintaining a safe, respectful and orderly learning environment for all students while upholding individual rights and responsibilities,” he said.

Students on the campus of Nashua High School North during the walkout on Feb. 4 to protest ICE. Telegraph photo by CHRISTOPHER ROBERSON