Students and activists protest Trump immigration policies in Kansas City area

NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Students and activists gathered at multiple locations Tuesday to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies, including the potential establishment of an ICE detention center in Kansas City.

About 100 students at Staley High School participated in what they called an ICE protest. Harper Beffa, a Staley High School student, said the policies could affect students’ futures.

“Students like me - who have graduated and have the ability to go to college and have all this stuff. It’s all taken away and thrown down the drain,” Beffa said.

The student demonstration was part of broader protests that extended to Overland Park, where organizers called their event the “Free America Walkout.”

Scott Bales, an organizer, said he found the administration’s policies objectionable.

“It’s just absolutely repulsive,” Bales said.

Both protests occurred amid discussions about a potential ICE detention center in Kansas City. Organizers at each event said they want their voices heard on issues that impact their communities.

One protester described a shift in their political engagement.

“I’m like, oh, it’s politics, someone will take care of it. But now, with how things have been going. Whoa!” Harper said.

Demonstrators ranging from high school students to adults said the protests represent taking a stand. Both groups said they plan to continue speaking out on the issues.

Staley High School’s Principal, Dr. Larry Smith, sent parents an email stating:

“About 2:00 p.m. today, a group of students participated in a student-led walkout. They exited the building through the student entrance and walked to the football stadium. Some students did decide to leave campus at this time.”

“Students have constitutional rights to use their voices at school, but cannot disrupt the learning of others,” Smith continued. “To be clear, this was a student-organized walkout and not a school-sponsored or school-promoted event. When things like this occur, our priority as a school is to ensure all of our students are safe.”