CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) — Charlottesville High School students organized a student-led walkout and protest against ICE on Monday afternoon.

Students were seen walking down McIntire Road holding signs with messages like “Stop ICE” and “We are not animals. We are citizens.” A Charlottesville City Schools spokesperson confirmed to Cville Right Now the walkout was student-led.

The protest drew praise from former Democratic Congressman and current Congressional candidate Tom Perriello.

“Warms the soul to see Charlottesville High School students participating in a walk out and speaking out against ICE abuses today,” he wrote in a Facebook post featuring two pictures from the protest.

The event was large enough to prompt a public alert from the Charlottesville Police Department, who warned drivers to use caution due to increased pedestrian traffic. Videos showed a large group of students walking down the road toward the Downtown Mall, with supporters cheering and honking as they went by.