Parents of Northside High School students are rallying to demand that the school drop disciplinary actions against 45 students who walked out in protest of deportation efforts.
While the district acknowledged students’ right to protest and described the demonstration as largely peaceful, officials say a smaller group disrupted the learning environment, prompting a temporary secure-mode lockdown and resulting in three-day suspensions.
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A press conference was held today at 9 a.m., with parents gathering at Fiesta Mart on Quitman Street, before marching to the school to voice their demands.
School officials have reported that some school property was damaged during the walk-out. However, parents argue that only the students responsible for the damage should face consequences, rather than all participants in the protest.
In addition to addressing the disciplinary actions, parents are demanding that the Houston ISD ensure that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are not allowed into any school. They are also advocating for the protection of students’ constitutional right to free speech.
HISD released the following statement to KPRC 2:
HISD has a long history of respecting our students’ right to free speech. On Friday, a group of about 100 students at Northside HS staged a walkout to protest federal immigration enforcement policies. That protest was overwhelmingly peaceful and well-organized, with staff respecting students’ right to protest and ensuring that all students remained safe. Administrators allowed the students to protest and then called for students to return to class. Most of the students returned to class without incident. However, a small group of students became very disruptive to the learning environment. The students were running through the hallways and persisted with disruptive activities despite requests to return order. Eventually, the school had to be placed in secure mode to return order to the campus. As a result, the school district issued disciplinary action to this smaller group students consistent with the Code of Student Conduct which is a three-day suspension.
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