Lexington schools, police get reports of ‘off-campus disruptions’ after ICE protests

Fayette County school officials are aware of reports regarding off-campus disruptions following Friday’s student-led walkouts protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, district spokesperson Miranda Scully said.

Several schools have had protests in the Fayette County Public School District this week, with district officials repeatedly telling the Herald-Leader these events were handled peacefully and safely prior to Friday. At least two schools, Lafayette High School and Henry Clay High School, had protests Friday. Scully could not comment on where the off-campus incidents happened.

“We are working with Lexington Police Department as needed to address these incidents,” Scully said. “I am not able to confirm the school at this time.”

Lexington Police Sgt. Bige Towery on Saturday told the Herald-Leader the Lexington Police Department responded to various calls in reference to student protests Friday. These groups were monitored to assure no significant traffic impacts occurred, and for the safety of the students, Towery said.

“A few calls were received in reference to disorderly activity occurring, however no reports were generated and no arrests occurred. We will work with the FCPS Police Department if any criminal complaints develop from these incidents,” he said.

“Calls we received Thursday were similar, as was our response,” Towery said. “Officers monitored the groups for any traffic impacts occurring and to verify the safety of the students.”

At its peak, about 200 Lafayette students walked out of school. The students were seen walking around the school, starting from the back and going down Lafayette Parkway toward Reed Lane, toward the front of the school, and then back again at least twice.

Some students chanted “the government is corrupt,” with others chanting, “Viva la Mexico.” Some students carried Mexican flags.

Some students wanted to get onto the football field, but some police and school officials directed them back to the school. They were urged to return to the school gym to avoid being marked as skipping class. Some students kept circling the school. Police were on scene to direct traffic and keep students on sidewalks.

A couple of adult neighbors were seen joining the students at some points.

Students at Lafayette and other schools emphasized that the demonstrations were peaceful, and the on-campus event appeared to remain peaceful Friday.

Leah Collins, a Lafayette sophomore, told the Herald-Leader that “students at Lafayette High School walked out of class today to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) gathering on campus with signs and chants.

“We marched peacefully along campus sidewalks and roads, drawing attention from passing drivers and members of the neighborhood,” Collins said. “This protest was led and organized by students, however supervised by admin and police. This was important to me because it gave us students a chance to stand up for something that we truly believe in. It showed us that our voices matter, even if we are young.

“Being a part of it made me feel like I wasn’t just watching things happen, but rather taking a stand for what I think is right.”

Caitlyn Douglas, a freshman at Lafayette, wasn’t at the walkout at LHS because she had to leave school early, but she said there was a lot of talk about the walkout all day at Lafayette. Students made and carried signs all day, and discussed their political views.

“The discussions that occurred due to the walkout were inspiring to see: students care about the future that they are coming into and are willing and ready to take action to make change for the better,” Douglas said. “The walkouts show that we, as students, have a voice and a power in our communities and schools. While a walkout is not the only form of protest that students can and have participated in, it showed the true power of uniting our voices about a topic, no matter our political beliefs.”

Additional protest at Tates Creek High School

Tates Creek High School had a protest Thursday. Senior Danielle Chivero said it was “a really great and successful walkout.”

“Students showed out! The majority walked all the way to the Fayette Mall which is about a 3 mile walk,” Chivero said. “Community members came out and stood out with the students.”

“The police department was present ensuring safety for all students walking with cars in the roads,” Chivero said. “However the school is making the kids who walked out receive an unexcused absent in terms of attendance.”

Students across the school district had been warned in advance that they could get an unexcused absence if they walked out of class.

Bryan Station and Paul Laurence Dunbar high schools were among the other schools where protests took place earlier in the week.

“Students are scared for their future and safety, as many of the schools here in Fayette County/Lexington are very diverse and have students from different ethnic/minority background(s),” said Innaree Khejaranan, a Dunbar and Opportunity Middle College senior. ”Political activism is where youth should start to stand up for their rights in my opinion.”

“This week, FCPS students participated in student-led walkouts to express their perspectives on current events,” Scully previously said. “School staff worked directly with students and families to first ensure their safety and second to foster an environment where students felt empowered to engage with the world around them.”

Scully said the district appreciated the “respectful manner in which our students conducted themselves” and thanked administrators and staff for supporting the “peaceful effort.”

These protests have been happening across the country. ICE has been under scrutiny during President Donald Trump’s second term, as he has pushed the agency to ramp up deportations. Attention on ICE’s actions escalated after officers with the agency shot and killed two people in Minneapolis last month.

This story was originally published February 13, 2026 at 5:41 PM.