15 students walked out of the Atlantic High School on Jan. 19 in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s involvement in Minnesota. The protest was spearheaded by junior Bailey Grieshaber, who said, “We’re walking out in protest of ICE. We’re taking a stand.” Those who chose to participate left at the beginning of A-Lunch. Protesters said, “Get ICE out of our streets,” and similar sayings as they carried signs down the 600 hallway, through the commons, and out of the building. Some students who did not participate shouted things back at the demonstrators, including homophobic slurs. The protest then proceeded to City Park in vehicles. Onlookers had mixed feelings about the demonstration, freshman Avery Hahn said, “I agree with the reasons, but I don’t see how it fits in with Atlantic. [ICE] is only in the cities.” Students Madilyn Waters and Reese Harlan both agreed to call the protest “dumb.”
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Students Walk Out in Protest of ICE
NEWS BRIEF
January 20, 2026
Students who participated in the walkout stand in City Park with their homemade signs. Protest organizer Bailey Grieshaber is pictured furthest to the right.
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John McCurdy, Staff Writer
John McCurdy is a freshman in journalism for his first year. He joined journalism because he’s always been interested in the field. He said, “In fourth grade I made my own newspaper and I work at a radio station.” McCurdy finds his favorite part of journalism “Hard to narrow…down.” Since joining journalism, he has been able to expand his writing skills.
McCurdy is also involved in Civil Air Patrol, speech and debate, drama, tennis, cross country, and 4-H as an officer. Furthermore, he volunteers at local organizations. In his free time, or as he says “what’s left of it,” he enjoys short wave radio science, reading, writing, building model airplanes, and Bible study. In the future, he plans to go to a service academy and receive a commission in the US Military.
Story by Gabrielle Engler