WINGED POST
THE HARKER SCHOOL
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THE UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE HARKER SCHOOL VOL. 27 NO. 4
500 SARATOGA AVENUE, SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95129
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2026
“We made history today” tiffany zhu, emma li, kairui sun & shreyas karnam
M
ore than 100 students walked out during lunch as part of a nationwide strike to protest recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Jan. 30. The demonstrations follow nationwide outrage after two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis. Student protestors congregated on Davis Field at 11:10 a.m., and organizer Elie Ahluwalia (12) gave a short speech emphasizing the purpose of the walkout was to oppose ICE’s violent tactics in light of the unrest in Minnesota. The group then walked towards the Shah parking lot, ultimately gathering near the edge of the street but
staying on campus to avoid disciplinary consequences. “The people in our community who may be or may know families who live in fear of being deported — know that you have support here at Harker,” Elie said. “My dad wears a turban. We’ve been approached multiple times. At this
school, where we have so many people of color, what ICE is doing is something we should all stand up against.” Protest participants held handmade signs with antiICE messages like “Ice Melts,” “Welcome Immigrants, Not ICE” and “I prefer my ICE crushed,” and chanted phrases including “Under pressure, ICE melts” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.” Passing cars and trucks honked in support; one taco truck memorably blaste d
“La Cucaracha.” Senior Jackson Powell played music by Bad Bunny over a loudspeaker, and several students waved American flags in the air. Elie and seniors Pavith Khara and Syna Sharma began planning the walkout starting at 7:30 a.m. During first and fourth period, the three created posters and began spreading the word in-person and digitally. An Instagram story originally posted by Elie and reposted by other students read: “Walkout during lunch. Meet on Davis Field. Make signs this morning. You don’t have to miss class if you don’t want. Spread the word and there are power in numbers.” The three organizers notified the
POWER IN PROTEST (CENTER)
administration of the walkout. At around 10 a.m., Director of DEI Patricia Burrows provided speakers and a mic, advising all attending students about safely demonstrating on Davis Field. “I came to the walkout because I believe in speaking out for what is important,” Savitha said. “We need to make our voices heard, especially in Harker, where 90% of us come from immigrant families. This is the first protest in years. We actually made history today.” Head of Upper School Paul Barsky reminded students that they would face detentions or Saturday Fives for missing their classes and underscored the school’s nonpartisan approach. “The school cannot support protests because we’d be taking sides,” Barsky said. “What we can support are avenues to make sure students’ voices are heard.” Students began to head back to campus for class after lunch ended at 11:55 a.m, but twelve carried on protesting into second period until 12:17 p.m., when the walkout ended. LOUD AND CLEAR (LEFT) Seniors Sofia Vasquez-Perez and Natalie Barth, together with junior Natalie Warmdahl, protest on the Saratoga Avenue sidewalk. STARS AND
Junior Ethan Gu holds a sign reading “Get ICE Out” while marching toward the Shah parking lot at the beginning of the walkout.
STRIPES
(RIGHT)
Senior Spencer Chang (12) holds up an American flag into the air while protesting.
inside the
ISSUE
news ................ A2
features ........... B2
opinions .......... A4
a&e/lifestyle .... B5
sports .............. A9
stem ................. B9
A8 opinions
Editorial: Artificial intelligence in the classroom needs clearer direction
A9 sports
Varsity boys soccer forward Stanley Chen (12) leads by example
B4 features
Harker proposes campus renovations, new buildings
B11 stem
Global Reset: No drought conditions in California for first time in 25 years
JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOW @harkeraquila DESIGN BY JONATHAN SZETO AND ASHLEY MO
PHOTOS BY LILY PENG AND KAIRUI SUN
Over 100 students walk out against immigration crackdown