Some New Jersey high school students who walked out of class to protest ICE operations will face detention time for their activism as well as possible other discipline.
North Plainfield High School students were informed in a letter that those who cut class without permission, left school grounds and created “a disruptive school environment” must attend a three-hour Saturday detention, according to NJ. com.
Local outlet TAPinto reported protests involving students from the school took place twice earlier this month, on Feb. 3 and Feb. 6. The latter demonstration saw roughly 200 participants march into downtown Plainfield. More than 70% of North Plainfield High School’s 1,200 students are said to be Hispanic.
In Highland Park, as many as 40 students were initially told they would face suspension for demonstrating off school grounds, students told NJ.com. However, the district’s superintendent later clarified that disciplinary action would be decided followed a “thorough review of the circumstances.”
Students there were reportedly allowed to participate in a walkout on campus, but several dozen demonstrators who left the property could face consequences, officials said.
At least a dozen protests opposing the actions of ICE officers have taken place at Garden State schools so far this year, according to NJ.com
In New York City, organizers encouraged ICE protestors to walk off their jobs and out of their classrooms in January to attend demonstrations at sites including Central Park, Washington Square Park, Prospect Park and Trump Tower in Midtown.
Those walkouts included one 15-year-old student from Brooklyn, who joined friends from the Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School in Greenwich Village and Soho to attend the rallies.
“What bothers me is how horrible it is that he’s taking innocent people,” she said of President Trump and the federal officers carrying out his orders.
Around 60 students in Kingston walked out of their classrooms last week chanting, “No ICE, no fear, immigrants are welcome here.”
Students were told over school speakers to return to their sixth-period classes, but none of the demonstrators appeared to adhere to that order, according to the Daily Freeman. The school’s principal reportedly said 40 students walked out — some of whom did not have classes to attend that afternoon.
