But by Wednesday, the organizer pulled the plug on the protest, citing fears of disciplinary action and that school officials might bring ICE to campus themselves. 

The cancellation post states in part: 

“It is impossible for me to ignore the writing on the wall as the school has weaponized its own authority to silence us. And so, it is with a heavy heart that I have to call off this walkout. The school has threatened students with severe punishment for simply standing up for what is right. Unfortunately, this is what it has come to. You can take this one of two ways, a sign of how far the country has fallen where students standing up for injustice is met with punishment from those we admire and look up to or as fuel to keep trying to stand up in other ways.” 

Jolyne, the WOHS.walkout administrator, spoke to VoxPopuli Friday via Instagram direct message about canceling the protest. She did not want to share her last name out of fear of reprisals. 

“Growing dangers to student’s [sic] safety and threats from the school on potential punishment,” was the motivation, she said. “I heard from many students that they feared the school itself calling ICE."

Student walkouts have long served as a form of civic expression, from protests against gun violence to demonstrations over climate change and racial justice and were often treated as unexcused absences or minor disciplinary issues. But recent immigration-related protests have drawn a harsher response.

West Orange High School Principal Andrew Jackson told VoxPopuli Friday that students had been warned throughout the week that participating in the walkout would be considered a Level 4 disciplinary offense, which could lead to expulsion.

The 2025–2026 OCPS Code of Student Conduct states, “Level 4 offenses are the most serious acts of misconduct and are grounds for expulsion.” These include offenses such as arson, sexual assault and homicide.

The code also lists “disruption on campus” as a Level 4 offense, defined as behavior that poses a serious threat to the learning environment, such as inciting a riot.

Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas posted on X earlier this week, warning about disciplinary action for students who protest and for teachers and administrators who encourage it.

 “We will not tolerate educators encouraging school protests and pushing their political views onto students, especially ones that disparage law enforcement. Under the leadership of @GovRonDeSantis, Florida’s education system is focused on student achievement, not ideology.”

Kamoutsas also talked about the student protests on the Jenna Ellis in the Morning podcast, hosted by the conservative Christian group American Family Radio.

“Students are expected to remain in class,” he said. “Leaving the assigned area or campus without permission, including to walkout for a protest, oftentimes it’s going to be a violation of the student code of conduct and it could result in student discipline.”

Forty-nine students at Leesburg High School are facing 10 days of suspension for staging an early February walkout, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Boone High School students also held a protest in early February, but have not been disciplined because they did not leave campus. 

Central Florida Public Media reported that 10 high schools in Orange and Seminole counties had walkouts planned for Friday. Students at Apopka High School walked out during seventh period — the last class period of the day — leaving campus to spread out along Park Ave. where they waved anti-ICE signs, The Apopka Chief reported. 

“There's a lot of young voices that need to be heard, and there's a lot of people in Florida who come from families that are being targeted and being oppressed,” student organizer Angel Velez told Central Florida Public Media.

Despite the cancellation, Jolyne said she remains undeterred. “I’m very upset with how this has gone but I’m not demotivated,” she said. “I believe in times like these, we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be silenced so quickly and easily.”