12 schools in Georgia, including Piedmont University, planned a walkout at noon to peacefully protest ICE and the Trump administration. Students at Piedmont University walked out of class at noon and marched their way to the Swanson Center to have their voices heard. 

These protests are designed to face fascist threats in the United States. Whether it be ICE raids in many communities within the United States, soldiers occupying cities or families being separated against their will, individuals in the United States are taking a stand against the dominating forces tearing the nation apart.

The protests are dealing with the aftermath of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old US citizen who was killed by an ICE agent on Jan. 8. 

The organizers of this event, Sarah Bunker and Jay Ruppersburg, created a safe space for students to peacefully protest and speak their minds. Bunker stood tall as she delivered motivating words to her fellow students. 

“Our outrage today is justified. Our grief is justified. Our demand for accountability is justified. This walkout is not about disruption for the sake of disruption. It is about refusing to normalize violence. It is about saying that we will not accept a system where some lives are collateral damage,” stated Bunker.

Students began sharing personal stories, highlighting systemic injustices they faced daily. This collective expression of frustration and hope created a powerful atmosphere, uniting attendees in their call for change and a reimagined future for their country.

“This country was not founded on principles of liberty or democracy. This country was founded on tax benefits for the rich. Whether you are white, black, or Hispanic, it does not matter. Because they never cared. We need to take our country back for our people,” said Mira Greene, one of the speakers at the rally. 

“Seeing what this country is going through is heartbreaking. I am scared to have a child in this country, because I cannot even walk down the street in some places without being looked at strangely. There have been times when I have quite literally walked past somebody, and they had to check whether their car was locked. I have not done anything. But this is what our country is built on,” stated attendee Anthony Waters. 

This collective expression of frustration and hope created a powerful atmosphere, uniting attendees in their call for change and a reimagined future for their country. 

As the walkout concluded, students lingered in small groups to continue conversations sparked by the rally. For those who participated, the rally was not viewed as a singular moment, but as part of a larger moment that demands accountability, transparency and an end to policies they believe harm vulnerable communities.

Organizers encouraged students to remain engaged beyond the march by staying informed, supporting impacted communities and continuing to use their voices. 

Nationwide protests calling for an end to ICE terror took place on Jan. 20, at 2 p.m. Jan. 20 is the one-year mark of President Trump’s return to the White House for his second term.

On Jan. 20, at 2 p.m., thousands of individuals across the United States rose from their seats, walked out of work and school and marched for change. With the assistance of thousands of daring individuals across the nation, communities came together for a collective march to warm up for momentous fights ahead for the nation.

“Marches show how many people care. Walkouts show how much power we have. A walkout interrupts business as usual. It makes visible how much our labor, participation and cooperation are taken for granted,” the organizers stated on the Free America Walkout website. 

To learn more about the Free America Walkout, check out the Free America Walkout website.