Council moves to address official’s role in ICE protest that ended at City Hall
Derrick Marshal Why We Walked Holding A Mexican Flag (Courtesy Facebook)Victorville, California (Times Media Service) — A divided Victorville City Council voted Tuesday to move forward with a discussion on whether to remove Planning Commissioner Derek Marshall after he took part in a recent high school walkout protesting federal immigration enforcement. The issue will return for formal review at the council’s March 3 meeting.
Council Moves Toward Possible Dismissal
During the February 17 council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman introduced a motion to place Marshall’s removal on an upcoming agenda. The motion passed 4-1, with Councilwoman Leslie Irving dissenting. Irving, who originally appointed Marshall to the Planning Commission, stood as the lone opposing vote.
Council discussion centered on Marshall’s visible participation in the February 13 student walkout organized by Victor Valley High School students, which concluded with a large gathering outside Victorville City Hall. The demonstration protested federal immigration enforcement activity and was among several student-led marches held across the Victor Valley region that day.
Debate Over Public Conduct and Representation
Harriman raised concerns about whether city officials who hold appointed positions should join political or protest events—particularly those that involve minors during school hours. He argued that Marshall’s decision to participate blurred the lines between his role as a private citizen and his duty as a city representative.
Marshall, appointed in 2021 to the Victorville Planning Commission, has been a known figure in High Desert civic engagement circles. His tenure has included participation in downtown planning studies and redevelopment projects near Seventh Street and Green Tree Boulevard.
Regional Reactions
The February 13 walkouts occurred in several High Desert communities, including Hesperia, Adelanto, and Apple Valley, as students voiced concerns over federal immigration enforcement policies. In Hesperia, photos circulated online showing local Council Member Chris Ochoa walking with students near Hesperia High School and offering encouragement to the student protesters.
Across the region, reactions to the events have been mixed. Some residents praised students for exercising free speech, while others questioned whether adult participation in student-protest activity sets the right example or distracts from official responsibilities. Students in California have a legal right to walk off campus to protest, but when unvetted adults are participating in the protest or are encourage the activism, the school district is still responsible to their safety. In most all cases the school district has not way of knowing who they are.
Next Steps
The Victorville City Council is scheduled to revisit the issue during its March 3 meeting at 6:00 p.m. at Victorville City Hall. At that time, the council could vote to remove Marshall from the Planning Commission or allow him to continue his term.
The outcome may signal how local governments across the High Desert intend to balance civic engagement among public officials with maintaining clear boundaries between personal activism and appointed duties. The school district may need to take steps to separate the unvetted public from the students.
