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The Daily Iowan
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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Photos: Iowa City high school students protest ICE in walk-out

Hundreds of ICCSD students participated in the walk-out at the Pentacrest
Liz Sleper, Photojournalist
February 6, 2026
Liz Sleper
Protesters chant against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)

Over 100 high-school and middle-school protesters marched around the Pentacrest on Thursday in a “Melt ICE” walkout. The protest, organized by Iowa City West High School students Tirza Overholt and Moss Statesman, drew students from multiple high schools and middle schools, as well as community members.

Speakers at the protest, including Iowa City councilmember Oliver Weilein, encouraged the crowd to contact their legislators and continue speaking out in support of local immigrants and their families.

Protesters listen during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Archer Sivan, 14, holds a sign during an anti-ICE protest at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Protesters march during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Waleed Ibrahim, a student at Iowa City West High School, speaks during an anti-ICE protest at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Protesters march during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Joaquin Gomez participates in a protest against ICE on the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Protesters march during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Oliver Weilein, current Iowa City City Councillor, speaks to the crowd at an anti-ICE protest at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Protesters chant during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Protesters listen during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Protesters listen during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
Tirza Overholt, 18, speaks during an anti-ICE protest at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest, which Overholt helped organize, was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
A crowd gathers to listen to a speaker during an anti-ICE protest at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)
A protester holds a sign during a protest against ICE at the Pentacrest in Iowa City on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026. The protest was made up of mostly high-school and middle-school aged students. (Liz Sleper/The Daily Iowan)