We Won't Be Handed Change: Knox County students organize to protest ICE

On Jan. 24, a senior at L&N STEM Academy learned of the killing of Alex Pretti.

The news landed heavily, and close to home.

He immediately thought of his mother, an ICU nurse. Someone who, like Pretti, would have stepped in to protect another person that day.

Within 30 minutes of learning about Pretti’s death, the student had spoken with several classmates. The group agreed they needed to take action.

“I’d had enough of the terror brought upon the people by ICE,” the student said. “After conversing with my peers, it was safe to say that they felt the same as I did.”

With his mother, the death of Alex Pretti and fellow students across Knoxville in mind, he went to work on the first flyer for the event, and it didn’t take long for the initial idea for a school walkout to grow into something much bigger.

Friday, Jan. 30, students across Knox County plan to gather at World’s Fair Park before marching through downtown Knoxville.

Organizers describe the event as a student-led protest opposing ICE’s presence in Knox County schools and raising broader concerns about student safety.

The move off campus was a strategic choice. What started as a standard walkout shifted as students weighed the risks — not just of school suspensions, but of drawing a federal law enforcement presence directly onto school property.

“A big reason why we decided to meet off campus is because of the threat of schools being targeted by ICE or other law enforcement,” he said. “We didn’t want any specific school or student to be targeted.”

Students also cited warnings of disciplinary action, including suspension, issued at some schools.

While the student said his own school did not threaten punishment, the group ultimately changed plans to protect students across multiple campuses.

From the student’s perspective, schools have responded to concerns with punishment rather than dialogue.

“Schools have done nothing but try to silence students rather than listen to our concerns,” he said.

A message shared by student organizers ahead of protest in downtown Knoxville.

Those concerns stem from recent ICE activity at a construction site near Hardin Valley Academy. Students and families reported being alarmed by the presence of federal agents so close to campus and said they were not notified.

They raised concerns about whether proper procedures were followed and pointed to Tennessee House Bill 1088, which outlines when schools are required to notify parents and guardians about credible information involving threats or significantly disruptive incidents on a school campus.

Student organizers said fears intensified following recent public comments from Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk, who stated that if ICE were to seek access to schools, they would be treated no differently than other law enforcement agencies.

Those remarks were interpreted by students and their caregivers as dismissive of the unique risks they believe an ICE presence poses in school communities.

State Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, has heard directly from students who felt afraid following the Hardin Valley incident, and this fear is documented in her own inbox.

“I had an email from a student begging me to help them because she was afraid in her school,” Johnson said. “Her campus was in the center of a bunch of untrained, armed, masked goons randomly chasing people who they had no idea if they were citizens or not.”

“These students already have to deal with the potential of gun violence in their classroom,” said Johnson, “and we are adding this trauma to them as they are trying to learn.”

Johnson said she was invited by students to attend Friday’s protest and plans to be there.

“I am so honored that multiple students reached out to me to attend their event to stand up and speak out with them,” she said.

“These young people are fighting for their community and the human dignity of everyone. I am nothing but proud of these smart, courageous young people. We need to listen to their voices. They are our future leaders.”

In a social media post, Johnson underscored the importance of keeping the protest student-led, a focus students said reflects both the issue at hand and a broader generational shift.

A social media post from State Rep. Gloria Johnson sharing information about the student-led protest planned in downtown Knoxville.

The organizer explained, “It’s important to us that this remains student-led not only because it involves the safety of students directly, but because it shows that students will no longer stand by witnessing the atrocities ICE has committed.”

He added that participants want to demonstrate independence and be taken seriously in decisions that affect their daily lives.

Despite potential risks, expected turnout continues to grow.

“A lot of students are still adamant on showing up out of care and selflessness for the peers and the people of our community,” he said. “If others are giving their lives for this cause, the least we can do is use our voices.”

They have planned safety procedures in advance of the march, including designated marshals wearing visible vests and volunteer medical professionals available to assist attendees. Before marching, students plan to review crowd safety guidelines and hear remarks from student organizers and guest speakers.

The public protest is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at World’s Fair Park. The march will move through downtown Knoxville and reach several locations, including City Council, before returning to the park to conclude and disband.

While the protest is student-led, adults are encouraged to attend in a supportive role.

“Adults, friends, family and anyone in Knoxville who empathizes with the victims of ICE are encouraged to join in amplifying voices,” he said. “We will still maintain leading positions in the march of students, and we want to have an emphasis on the students involved, but anyone willing and able to join in march with us is more than welcome and greatly appreciated.”

As for what they want school leaders and lawmakers to hear, students were direct.

“We will no longer stand idly by while they are complicit in the terror and havoc wreaked upon our communities,” he said. “If they do not stop, neither will we.”

“People need to understand that we aren’t just going to be handed change. We cannot just sit around waiting for someone to start something, since we did wait around we have felt the repercussions of our actions. If you truly want something done, you have to stand up and do it yourself.”

Event details circulated by student organizers encouraging participation in Friday's downtown protest at World's Fair Park.