Norman High School students held a walkout Tuesday in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
About 100 students gathered on the front lawn of Norman High with signs and flags and wrote anti-ICE messages on themselves with markers.
Norman High School students walk out in protest of ICE
The protest at Norman High follows a similar walkout at Norman North High School on Thursday. The protests are part of a series of statewide walkouts.
About 10 counterprotesters gathered across the street with signs and American flags.
Protesters and counterprotesters threw water bottles at each other and yelled insults across Main Street, leading to a student altercation. Some drivers honked their horns in support of the students.
Water bottles thrown during ICE protest at Norman High
In a Tuesday evening email to NHS families, Principal Hallie Wright wrote some students engaged in inappropriate behavior that does not reflect the values of Norman High.
"While we respect the right to peaceful protest here are a few important reminders:
• The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority.
• Students are expected to remain respectful and peaceful during any demonstration.
• Throwing items during a demonstration is unacceptable.
• Speeding in a school zone, riding in the back of a moving vehicle, or hanging out of a moving vehicle are extremely unsafe behaviors.
Behavior that would result in disciplinary action on campus also applies to behavior off campus during lunch or the school day," Wright wrote.
OU Daily chose not to gather last names when interviewing minors to protect their privacy.
Maria, a freshman at Norman High, believes student activism is crucial.
“It’s important for us to make our voices heard because we are America. We are Americans. If we don’t speak up, who will?” Maria said. “Silence is compliance.”
Zane, a junior, said he believes in equality and encouraged other schools to participate in protests as well.
“We’ve deviated as a society from realizing that everybody bleeds red. Everybody is a human, …” Zane said. “It’s important for us to get out here, it’s important every school in Oklahoma does it, it’s important every school across the country does it.”
Koen, a junior, said he believes in remaining united and amplifying all voices.
“We’re being divided into groups and I think the most important thing no matter what is that a person is a person, …” Koen said. “I just think it’s important to make sure that each and every voice is heard.”
Barrett, a junior counterprotester, held a sign that read “America first, immigrants last.”
“I think we’ve been too open to immigrants and they are destroying our culture, …” Barrett said. “If we continue to let billions of immigrants in, they are going to ghetto-ize and they will replace us.”
Barrett said he wanted to speak up in favor of ICE.
“I think it’s important if I talk because not a lot of people on my side will,” Barrett said.
In an email to Norman High families Monday, Wright wrote the district was aware of the protest and that it was not a school- or district-sponsored event, but that it worked with student groups that organized the event.
“We are working closely with students and student groups who wish to assemble to help ensure their safety as they express themselves regarding issues they are passionate about,” Wright wrote. “Our priority remains teaching and learning, while also providing guidance and support for student and staff safety.”
The district encouraged families to speak with students about the importance of attending class and following school rules, while also allowing space to discuss issues that are important to them.
“Our schools are places for learning, respectful dialogue, and care for one another,” Wright wrote. “We remain committed to providing safe, orderly, and supportive learning environments for every student.”
ICE at OU, in Oklahoma
In February 2025, Gov. Kevin Stitt implemented Operation Guardian, a deportation initiative by Oklahoma Highway Patrol in partnership with ICE. The initiative allows the apprehension of immigrants lacking permanent legal status, transferring them from state custody to federal custody to allow for deportation.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security proposed purchasing a warehouse property in Oklahoma City to open an ICE facility, but the purchase was not followed through, according to a Facebook post made by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.
OU Iranian Studies professor Vahid Abedini was arrested by ICE in November while traveling to the Middle East Studies Association in Washington, D.C. Abedini was later released after standard questioning.
Sarah Loicano, ICE public affairs officer for Dallas and Oklahoma, wrote in an email to OU Daily Feb. 10 that ICE does not comment on current operations.
“ICE enforces federal laws across the United States every day to include in Oklahoma,” Loicano wrote. “To protect operational security and ensure the safety of our law enforcement personnel and the public, ICE does not comment on or provide details regarding potential or ongoing enforcement actions.”
This story was edited by Natalie Armour and Audrey McClour. Kennedy Johnson and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
