High school students in two Maryland counties walked out of class on Friday afternoon, staging demonstrations to protest federal immigration policies. The protests at Stephen Decatur and James M. Bennett high schools drew attention not only for the students' message but also for the response from school officials, which one parent described as sending a "mixed message" about civic engagement.
Key Takeaways
- Students at Stephen Decatur High School and James M. Bennett High School held walkouts on Friday to protest federal immigration enforcement.
- At Stephen Decatur, school administrators allegedly threatened to cancel extracurricular activities, including prom and sports, for participants.
- A larger protest occurred at James M. Bennett High School, where students gathered on sidewalks with signs and flags.
- Worcester County Public Schools issued a statement confirming the protest occurred under adult supervision but stated they do not condone walkouts.
Protest at Stephen Decatur High School
In Berlin, Maryland, students at Stephen Decatur High School organized a walkout to voice their opposition to the ongoing federal immigration crackdown. The demonstration, however, was met with alleged resistance from the school's administration.
Parents reported that students were warned of significant consequences if they participated in the protest. These alleged threats included the cancellation of the school play, being banned from attending prom, and exclusion from school sports teams. Further disciplinary actions mentioned were the cancellation of all after-school activities and the implementation of mandatory Saturday classes.
A Question of Student Rights
Student-led protests and walkouts occupy a complex space within the U.S. education system. The landmark 1969 Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines affirmed that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." However, schools retain the authority to restrict speech that substantially disrupts the educational environment.
Laurie Predmore, a parent of a Stephen Decatur student, expressed frustration over the school's handling of the situation. She felt the administration was contradicting the very principles of civic action it purports to teach.
"They gave these kids the power, they gave these kids the confidence, they told these kids they were important and they can change the world. Now, sit back and let them. So, it’s a mixed message, it’s ‘hey, go out and change the world, make the world a better place, use your voice, until we disagree with it,'" Predmore said.
She emphasized the historical significance of such actions, adding, "I think what matters is, America was built on non-violent protests; these are a bunch of teenagers holding signs."
Official Response from School District
In response to the events, Worcester County Public Schools released a statement addressing the walkout. The district confirmed the event took place but clarified its official stance on such demonstrations.
The statement noted that officials "do not condone walkouts of any kind as it poses a disruption to the school day." This position highlights the administrative challenge of balancing student expression with the need to maintain an orderly learning environment.
Despite this, the district assured the community that the protesting students were under adult supervision by school leadership at all times. They also confirmed that there were no changes to the safety status of the school during the demonstration, alleviating concerns about student well-being during the event.
Maintaining Order
School districts across the country often create specific policies regarding student demonstrations. These policies typically focus on ensuring student safety, minimizing disruption to classes, and providing a supervised area for protesters, balancing First Amendment rights with institutional responsibilities.
Larger Demonstration in Salisbury
Meanwhile, a more substantial walkout unfolded at James M. Bennett High School in Salisbury. The protest there appeared larger in scale and drew participants from at least one other school, with reports of students from Parkside High School joining the demonstration.
Around 2:00 p.m., a significant number of students gathered on the sidewalk in front of the school along West College Avenue. They were visible to passing traffic, waving flags and holding signs to express their dissent against current immigration policies.
Public Visibility and Police Presence
The demonstration was largely contained to the sidewalk, but some student protesters reportedly moved into the roadway and the median. This increased public visibility but also raised potential safety concerns.
Law enforcement was present near the scene of the protest. However, police units were reportedly stationed at a neighboring apartment complex rather than directly engaging with the student demonstrators. This positioning suggests a monitoring role aimed at ensuring public order without escalating the situation.
The coordinated actions between students at two different high schools in neighboring counties indicate a level of organization that extends beyond a single campus. The walkouts reflect a growing trend of youth activism on national issues, with students using their collective voice to participate in political discourse directly from their school grounds.
