La Mirada High School students took part in a student-organized “Blackout” walkout on Friday, February 13 to protest I.C.E. in what organizers described as a peaceful civic demonstration designed to amplify student voices and encourage youth participation in the democratic process.
The protest, planned and promoted primarily through student-run social media channels, drew participation from LMHS students who coordinated their efforts in advance, including outreach to school administration and local authorities to ensure the event remained orderly and safe.
Student organizers cited California Senate Bill 955 as a guiding framework for the demonstration. The state measure allows students in grades 6–12 to participate in one civic or political event per year with an excused absence, provided the school is notified in advance. Under the law, schools are not permitted to impose punitive academic or disciplinary consequences when proper notice procedures are followed.
Organizers encouraged participants to formally report their absences ahead of time through school attendance systems, advising students to document their request online and reference the walkout as a civic engagement activity permitted under SB 955 guidelines.
According to student communications shared online, organizers took multiple steps to prepare for the demonstration responsibly. Parent chaperones were arranged to be present, and outreach was made to the local Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department substation to share the planned timeline and location details. Students also met with school site administration prior to the event to discuss logistics and expectations surrounding campus safety and supervision.
These measures were intended to address community concerns while reinforcing the students’ stated goal of holding a peaceful, respectful demonstration.
Much of the walkout’s momentum developed through Instagram, where student organizers posted updates, informational flyers, and participation guidance. A companion Facebook page existed but was less active, with Instagram serving as the primary hub for real-time communication. Organizers also extended invitations to students from neighboring campuses who expressed interest in civic participation, further expanding awareness of the event.
While reactions across the community varied, many residents and observers voiced support for students engaging in civic dialogue at a young age. The demonstration reflected a broader trend of youth activism seen across California and the nation in recent years, where students have increasingly used organized walkouts as a platform to express perspectives on social, political, and educational issues.
Regardless of viewpoint, the LMHS Blackout walkout underscored the importance of civic education, lawful protest rights, and the evolving role of student voice within public discourse.
LMHS students participate in a peaceful, student-led “Blackout” demonstration on February 13, exercising civic engagement rights permitted under California education law.
