More student anti-ICE walkouts planned in metro Atlanta despite warnings from school administrators
More anti-ICE walkouts planned
Students across metro Atlanta plan school walkouts during a 'National Shutdown' protest. Several local school districts warn walkouts could carry disciplinary and future academic consequences. FOX 5's Rob DiRienzo has the story.
ATLANTA - Students at dozens of schools across metro Atlanta plan to walk out of class Friday in protest of Trump administration’s nationwide immigration crackdown, despite warnings from school administrators.
The walkouts come during a "National Shutdown" planned across the country, in response to federal agents fatally shooting Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti in the back last week.
Anti-ICE walkouts in Atlanta
What we know:
Students across metro Atlanta remained defiant against school warnings not to walk out of class on Friday.
They say the demonstrations are a response to growing concerns over violence and ongoing actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to Atlanta's chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, more than 75 metro-area schools are already confirmed to participate in walkouts on Friday.
However, officials in DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, and Calhoun public schools have threatened swift consequences for leaving class during school hours.
Georgia students planning more walkouts Friday
Students at more than 75 schools are expected to participate in a national walkout on Friday at their schools, according to student organizers in metro Atlanta.
Despite those warnings, organizers say they expect strong participation and say the walkouts are intended to be a peaceful show of solidarity, with chants of "stand up, fight back" expected during the demonstrations.
Despite those warnings, organizers say they expect strong participation and say the walkouts are intended to be a peaceful show of solidarity, with chants of "stand up, fight back" expected during the demonstrations.
Students speaking out
What they're saying:
Student organizers who spoke with FOX 5 said they intend to proceed with the protests, despite objections from administrators.
"This isn't about disrupting learning time. This is about speaking out," Leilani Garcia, a Woodstock High School student, said.
In a letter home to parents, Cobb school officials warned that participation in the protests "could be taken into account by college admission offices and future employers."
Joseph Rivera, a Hillgrove High School junior, said he remains undeterred.
"This could be a teaching moment for everyone, and Cobb is deciding to threaten students instead of teaching them about protesting and our First Amendment," he said.
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School officials give warning
The other side:
In DeKalb County, administrators called the walkouts "unacceptable behavior" and promised consequences.
Calhoun City Schools followed suit, alleging that "external organizations" were behind the walkouts.
In response to the backlash, the Trump administration pledged change within the ranks of ICE agents, sending border czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis.
"No agency organization is perfect. And President Trump and I, along with others in administration, have recognized that certain improvements could and should be made," Homan said. "They're trying to do with professionalism. If they don't, they'll be dealt with like any other federal agency. We have standards of conduct."