On a warm Thursday afternoon, dozens of Sonoma State University students gathered near the Student Center, holding handmade signs and chanting to condemn Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

But when it came time to attach their names to their words, several hesitated.

Some withdrew their names after interviews. Others requested anonymity before speaking.

“We’re so scared to come out and speak our minds about what’s going on because of who we are, our skin color, our status, and what country our parents come from,” said one student who later asked that their name be withheld. “We’re coming out here to speak our minds, and we can’t even feel safe about it anymore.”

Student groups, including MEChA de Sonoma, SSU’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, and Students for Quality Education, organized the walkout in response to ongoing immigration enforcement actions across California and the U.S., as well as the reductions to ethnic studies programs on campus.

The walkout comes amid broader restructuring at Sonoma State following budget cuts that have affected several academic programs, including ethnic studies.

As protesters circled the campus chanting, “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA,” their message was loud. But privately, several described feeling vulnerable.

After initially agreeing to be interviewed, one student reconsidered.

“I can’t be labeled a domestic terrorist, because it might affect my parents, and we’ve seen what happens,” they said.

Another student echoed that fear.

“We sadly don’t have the privilege to, at the current time, put our names behind our opinions,” the student said. “Even though we stand strongly behind them.”

Students at the walkout said the concern stems from heightened immigration enforcement and what they describe as insufficient clarity from university and CSU leadership about how students would be protected if federal agents appeared on campus.

“Our school has never publicly stated how they’re going to protect us,” said Lauritzin Pahtli, outreach coordinator for MEChA de Sonoma.

Pahtli expressed frustration after requesting that a campus officer meet with MEChA members to discuss how the university would protect students. According to Pahtli, the officer the university sent was working their last day on campus.

In response to questions about the walkout and concerns over immigration enforcement, SSU spokesperson Jeff Keating said the university supports students’ rights to peaceful protest and free expression.

“Sonoma State University is committed to fostering an environment of free expression and open dialogue as part of its educational mission,” Keating said in a statement. “We recognize the right of our students to engage in peaceful protest while adhering to CSU Time, Place and Manner policies.”

Keating did not provide specific details about how the university would respond if federal immigration agents appeared on campus.

“If there’s injustice somewhere, there’s injustice everywhere,” said one junior who also requested anonymity. “We just have to make sure that our students and our faculty are protected at all campuses.”

They added that conversations about ICE, especially on campus, should be more direct and transparent.

“It should certainly be talked about more than it is. We have to be explicit about it,” they said.

Pahtli led the crowd to Salazar Hall, where the administrative offices are located.

“¡Spagna, escucha, escucha, estamos en la lucha!” Pahtli chanted, urging university administrators to hear student concerns.

“This isn’t a one-person problem,” Pahtli said. “This is a collective issue.”

Despite the tension underlying many conversations, the demonstration closed on a note of solidarity. As Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” played outside of the Student Center, students began quietly singing along. Soon, they were dancing and jumping with their signs raised.

For some, it felt like a release — a brief break from the anxiety that had shaped much of the afternoon.

Still, the reluctance to be named lingered among students.

“If you don’t stand up now when they’re not coming for you,” one student said, “they’re not going to have anyone there to stand up for you when they come for you.”