Approximately 300 students from Carmel High School, Indiana, walked out of class on Jan. 20, joining a nationwide “Free America Walkout” aimed at protesting policies and actions of President Donald Trump and his administration. The demonstration coincided with the first anniversary of Trump’s second inauguration, placing the suburban Indiana city squarely into a broader national moment of youth-led political resistance.
The walkout was organized by the Carmel Young Progressives, a newly formed student club that has only recently begun making its presence known. At around 2:30 p.m., students exited the school grounds and began a roughly two-mile walk to the gazebo at Carmel City Hall. Carmel Police Department officers escorted the group along the route, ensuring the protest remained peaceful and uninterrupted.
Once at City Hall, club President Jack McNally and Vice President Maaike Mora addressed the crowd, speaking out against what organizers described as authoritarian tendencies, immigration enforcement practices, and broader concerns tied to the Trump administration. Organizers emphasized that the protest was not sanctioned by the school and was not intended as an excuse to leave class early.
Online, the demonstration quickly gained traction, where reactions ranged from enthusiastic support to sharp political pushback. The prevailing sentiment was positive, though, with the comment “The kids are alright” gaining traction.
Many commenters praised the students for engaging civically at a young age, especially in a state more often associated with conservative politics. “There may be hope for the Hoosier State after all,” one user wrote, while another added, “Ok Carmel! I’m impressed!” Others highlighted the symbolic weight of the protest happening in Hamilton County, a suburban area that has increasingly shifted blue in recent election cycles.
Not all reactions were supportive. Some commenters dismissed the walkout as politically motivated theater or questioned whether students truly understood the issues they were protesting. A smaller but vocal group accused Democrats of exhibiting cult-like behavior themselves, sparking lengthy comment threads that devolved into partisan arguments. Still, those comments were generally downvoted, drowned out by users applauding the students’ willingness to speak out.
The discussion also pushed back against claims that the protest was improperly handled. Multiple commenters clarified that the event was not organized by the school, that students had parental permission to participate, and that police presence was protective rather than suppressive. “Love to see the police protecting the youth for once,” one user noted.
Carmel High School, one of the largest high schools in Indiana, enrolls several thousand students, making the turnout a relatively small fraction of the student body. Even so, supporters argued the number was significant given the risks students take by participating in political demonstrations during school hours. “Every student that left was part of the protest,” one commenter wrote. “America needs something.”
The protest also underscored changing political dynamics in suburban Indiana. Carmel voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024, reflecting a broader national trend of suburban areas drifting away from Trump-era Republican politics. Some commenters pointed to Carmel’s growing diversity as a factor in the city’s political evolution.
For the Carmel Young Progressives, the walkout marked an early but visible statement of purpose. While it remains to be seen whether the group will sustain momentum beyond this single event, the response suggests their message resonated well beyond the steps of City Hall.
