NEW ROCHELLE, NY (February 13, 2026) — Hundreds of New Rochelle High School students staged a peaceful, student-led walkout and protest Friday against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, marching from campus to City Hall and later to New Roc before returning.
Students left the school around 1:27 p.m. and arrived at New Rochelle City Hall approximately 1:40 p.m. The group briefly continued to New Roc to raise additional awareness before returning to City Hall.
The event was organized by five female students — Adriana Barragan, Anahi Valencia, Elizabeth Lopez, Frida Alvarez and Sherilyn Diaz. They described the event as peaceful, organized and impactful for the community. They emphasized that participation was voluntary and encouraged safe and orderly behavior.
A large number of participants made posters, joined chants and stood together in support throughout the afternoon, holding handmade protest signs during a peaceful demonstration against ICE policies.
Visible signs, primarily in English and Spanish, included a large foreground sign reading “GRITAMOS POR LOS QUE NO PUEDEN” (“We shout for those who cannot”) in bold black letters, with “POR LOS QUE” in green and “NO PUEDEN” in red, evoking the colors of the Mexican flag.
Other signs read, “ICE just KKK spelled differently,” “Why take them on Valentine’s Day? We are not criminals we are workers human,” “My parents work harder than your president,” and “UNDOCUMENTED HANDS OFF YOU.”
A Spanish-language sign read “CALLAR ES SILENCIADA ES ELEGIR SER OPRIMIDA,” which appeared to intend a message along the lines of “To remain silent is to choose to be oppressed.” Another sign read “LA MIGRA,” a term often used critically for immigration enforcement. Additional messages included “Poder al Pueblo,” translated as “Power to the People,” as well as partial or background signs with phrases such as “Abolish ICE,” “NOT IGNORANCE,” and references to liberty and justice.
Several students wore green, white and red clothing or accessories matching the Mexican flag, and some held small Mexican flags.
The protest concluded with organizers thanking participants and reminding everyone to get home safely.
New Rochelle High School is one of the largest and most diverse high schools in Westchester County.
UPDATE: In a message to the New Rochelle High School community, Superintendent Dr. Corey W. Reynolds said a group of students plans to participate in a student-led walkout in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, during period 7, which begins at 1:27 p.m.
Reynolds said the walkout is not sponsored by New Rochelle High School or the City School District of New Rochelle. He wrote that while the district respects students’ rights to “appropriately and legally express themselves,” students are expected to remain in class and engaged in learning throughout the school day.
According to the message, students who miss scheduled periods 7 and 8 will be marked “unexcused absent” in accordance with the district’s Code of Conduct and attendance protocols.
The letter states the group plans to depart at approximately 1:27 p.m. and walk from New Rochelle High School down North Avenue to City Hall. District officials said they have met with the City of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Police Department in the interest of student safety.
Reynolds wrote that once students leave school grounds, they are bound by local and state laws and regulations, and that traffic and pedestrian safety rules must be strictly followed. He also encouraged families to speak with their students about remaining on campus and in class during the school day.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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