02/17/2026
Winters Police Chief John P. Miller shared a message this afternoon following a student-led protest in downtown Winters. According to Winters PD, the department is seeking video evidence from the public related to an altercation that occurred in Rotary Park. Police observed students attempting to pull a counter-protester’s sign from her and then physically pulled her off the platform where she was standing. A high school student reported that she was struck by the counter-protester during the incident. The counter-protester also reported that she was assaulted. Winters PD has generated a criminal report. Chief Miller told the Express that officers have reviewed several videos showing the counter-protester being assaulted, but have not received any video showing the student being assaulted. Anyone with video evidence is asked to email [email protected] or bring their device to the Public Safety Facility during public hours.
A message from Chief Miller:
On Tuesday, February 17th, students from the Winters High School and Winters Middle School walked off campus to protest federal immigration enforcement. Winters Police Department became aware of the event prior and coordinated with Winters Joint Unified School District personnel. WJUSD staff accompanied the students and WPD personnel monitored to ensure the students were safe as they exercised their First Amendment rights.
I was present during the entire event, exiting my vehicle several times along the route to engage directly with students and staff. WJUSD staff did an excellent job, and the students followed direction of staff and were well-behaved until a counter-protestor arrived at Rotary Park holding a “Trump Vance” sign, exercising her First Amendment right.
An altercation occurred when students physically pulled the counter-protesters sign from her, then apparently pulled the counter-protestor off the platform that she was standing on. The students began converging on the counter-protestor and police personnel moved into the crowd to create a space between the counter-protestor and the students. Students then began throwing water bottles, cans, cups, and signs at the counter-protester, striking her as well as police officers.
The counter protestor was escorted out of Rotary Park by police upon her request; however, a rumor started that she was in the Putah Creek Cafe and students started moving towards the Cafe. School staff intercepted the students and redirected them.
A high school student reported that she was struck by the counter-protestor during this altercation and the counter-protestor also reported she was assaulted. A criminal report was generated, and we have seen several videos of the counter-protestor being assaulted but have not received any video of the student being assaulted. We are asking for anyone with video evidence of this to forward it to the Winters Police Department at [email protected].
Prior to leaving town, the counter-protestor stopped her vehicle at Grant and Railroad and re-engaged with the students. A traffic stop was initiated for her stopping her vehicle in the roadway and the students started approaching the car stop; however, the students followed law enforcement direction to stay away from the stop. The driver was given a verbal warning for the traffic violation.
I was proud of the way the students comported themselves exercising their First Amendment rights until they failed to respect someone else’s First Amendment right. Further, falling victim to a “mob” mentality and assaulting her and the police officers that were there to protect them was unacceptable. I urge all parents to have a discussion with their children about their rights and responsibilities as members of our community and to encourage them to respect other’s rights, even if their opinion differs from yours.
Chief John P. Miller
