Commissioner’s involvement in student protest against ICE sparks council scrutiny ahead of March meeting
Victorville, California (High Desert News Online) — The Victorville City Council has voted to place the potential removal of Planning Commissioner Derek Marshall on a future agenda after he was seen participating in a student-led walkout protesting federal immigration enforcement. The motion, introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman during the February 17 City Council meeting, was approved by a 4-1 vote, paving the way for formal discussion at the March 3 meeting.
During Tuesday night’s Victorville City Council meeting, officials agreed to add an item to the upcoming agenda that could result in the removal of Planning Commissioner Derek Marshall. The discussion centers on Marshall’s presence at a February 13 Victor Valley High School student walkout protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The student-led demonstration began at the school campus and concluded at Victorville City Hall, drawing students, and several members of the public.
The move to scrutinize Marshall’s actions was initiated by Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman, who argued that a city-appointed commissioner should refrain from participating in protests that could be viewed as politically motivated or oppositional to law enforcement agencies. Council members voted 4-1 to place Marshall’s potential removal on the March 3 meeting agenda. The lone dissent came from Councilwoman Leslie Irving, who originally appointed Marshall to the Planning Commission.
While Marshall has maintained that his participation was as a private citizen, not in an official capacity, the question of how city representatives conduct themselves in public settings has reignited debate about the boundaries between personal expression and public service in Victorville.
The issue is not new to the High Desert region. Over the past several years, similar controversies have arisen in nearby cities when public officials joined demonstrations involving immigration enforcement or school policy. In 2018, multiple Southern California cities faced challenges distinguishing personal activism from official representation after council members attended protests involving school safety and immigration policies.
Concerns have also emerged over student safety during public walkouts. Under California law, students may legally protest off campus, but schools remain responsible for ensuring their welfare during such events. Districts across the High Desert, including Hesperia and Apple Valley, have reported incidents of non-affiliated adults joining student marches, prompting questions about supervision, the potential for political influence on minors and unvetted adults participating with the students. In Hesperia, City Council Member Chris Ochoa also marching and encouraging students giving them hi-fives for protesting.
In this case, Marshall’s involvement comes as he and Mayor Pro Tem Harriman are both expected to run for the District 4 seat in the upcoming November election—adding a political dimension to the council’s decision-making process. The March 3 meeting is likely to draw public attention as the city navigates issues of ethics, representation, and the role of appointed officials in public demonstrations.
The Victorville City Council will meet on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., where the official discussion and possible vote on Marshall’s removal will take place at Victorville City Hall.
