Tensions are high in Washington D.C. as college students have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to the ongoing federal occupation of the nation’s capital. On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, students from prominent institutions like Howard University, Georgetown University, and George Washington University staged walkouts, demanding an end to the deployment of national troops and federal police.
Concerns Over Federal Presence
The presence of federal law enforcement and the National Guard has left many D.C. residents feeling uneasy. Protesters highlighted concerns about potential profiling and unwarranted stops, with individuals fearing they could be targeted for speaking another language or simply for their appearance. Howard University freshman Funmilayo Coates shared her anxieties, stating, “I feel so bottled up in my emotions in this overwhelming time of occupation in D.C. I even feel targeted myself, as I am part Nigerian.”
The walkouts, organized in part by The Sunrise Movement, aimed to put pressure on Congress ahead of a vote to extend President Donald Trump’s federal control over the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The movement’s demands included calls for university administrations to protect their students and for Congress to reverse the “state of exception.”
Students Demand Action
Chanting slogans like “We keep us safe,” students staggered their walkouts throughout the day, starting with Georgetown at 10 a.m. and concluding with American University students at 2 p.m. The message was clear: students want their educational institutions to actively resist cooperation with federal authorities and prevent the National Guard and ICE from entering their campuses.
Hope for the Future
Although the local emergency order was set to end before midnight on September 10th, the National Guard’s deployment is extended until at least November. While a complete reversal of the federal presence might seem unlikely, the students remain hopeful that their collective advocacy will make a difference, even if the impact is felt by future generations. “Even if this is for something that won’t materialize in our present… I still have hope,” shared one anonymous Howard student, emphasizing the long-term fight for change.
What are your thoughts on the student walkouts and the federal occupation in D.C.? Share your perspective in the comments below!