Lindbergh students walked out by the main entrance Thursday afternoon in protest of the
Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, an effort some protesters say was largely driven
by a surge in deportation numbers and the perceived mistreatment of detainees.

The walkout, which senior Kylie Stafford first initiated after an approval meeting with
Dr. Cochran and grade-level principals, was part of a long-standing effort from many Lindbergh
students to speak out against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It is one of several
student-led walkouts taking place across the nation. Other schools in the local area, such as
Affton High School and Nerinx Hall, are among those that led walkouts this year.

The official protest meeting location was by the flagpoles outside the main entrance.
Stafford wrote in an informational Instagram post about the protest and said to “walk out the
main doors and stand there till we go to our spot.” Despite some concerns about the weather,
student participants met by the flagpoles, then moved to the official protest location, the sidewalk
in front of the bus stop on Lindbergh Boulevard. Students exited the main doors and carried their
signs to and from this location at the beginning and end of the walkout. The official time for the
walkout was 11:50 am to 12:30 pm, although most protesters only began leaving around 1:10
pm.

School administrators, including Dr. Cochran and sophomore principal Dr. Wheeler,
supervised the protest. Lindbergh’s SRO also notified local police several days before the
walkout, according to Stafford. Some officers were noticeable on Thursday, waiting in police
cars and outside to monitor the situation.

Here’s what else to know:

1. In a counter-protest, a student in favor of Mr. Trump’s policies held a “Don’t tread on me” flag and called out with vulgar language, prompting students participating in the walkout to yell back.
2. A protester was believed to have been given a one-day suspension after throwing an orange at a nearby truck. The truck reportedly had been circling the walkout location and flying signs supporting Mr. Trump. The student was later approached by Dr. Cochran, taken to the office and requested to no longer participate per the walkout guidelines, according to several students.
3. Another truck was seen firing streams of engine gas at students after passing the walkout location, which some say was an attempt to push back on protesting efforts.
4. Upon re-entrance, students were required to check in at the office for attendance. School administrators told students to hide any political signs or banners when inside the building, most likely to prevent any potential disruptions during school hours.