By Fox23.com News Staff
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — A group of Broken Arrow High School students walked out during their lunch period on Monday in what they’re calling an organized stance against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE.
Students said they organized the protest through word of mouth and social media.
Broken Arrow High School made an announcement just before lunch informing students they could leave, but would be counted absent if they did.
“They had an announcement right before third period ended,” said one student organizer. “They said, ‘you can leave, but you have to know you will be counted absent.’ But that is a risk all of us are willing to take.”
For some students, the protest was a rare opportunity to express their views.
Another student explained, “I live in an all red household, so it’s kind of off putting to be the only blue person in there. I have this desire to really go into politics, so I think this is a big step in it and I think it’s important that teenagers talk about it.”
Another student said she has friends and relatives living in fear of ICE.
“I have friends and some very close relatives that have to live in fear because of them and I feel like it’s not right because if I shouldn’t have to, nobody should. It’s justice for all, not just white.”
Students said they want people to remember the names of those killed during ICE operations.
“Please remember their names. Don’t let this be just like another passing trend or topic. Their names are Alex Pretti and Renee Goode, and they deserve to be hard and they deserve to get justice for what was done to them.”
The protest drew support from passing cars, but the demonstration also raised questions from local officials.
State Representative Gabe Woolley (R-Broken Arrow) said his main concern is parental consent.
“This is ultimately an issue that should be under the parent’s authority with the parental consent. I’m very curious who is sort of fostering, allowing them to do this and if there is some sort of organized effort behind it that is going around parents to access children.”
Woolley said he supports law enforcement and ICE.
“I don’t support the idea of being anti law enforcement. I believe our law enforcement is there to protect us. We’re dealing with the issue of people who have entered the country illegally and committed a crime and violated the Constitution already.”
This protest occurred after several students from Nathan Hale, Mustang and Jenks held similar protests last week.
Broken Arrow Public Schools sent a statement regarding the walk out:
“Today’s student protest was not organized or endorsed by Broken Arrow Public Schools. The district fully supports students’ first amendment rights and will also abide by district policies which are informed by state and federal law.
Students are permitted to peacefully protest during student free time on campus, which is defined as before or after school and during the lunch period. Students are not permitted to interfere with the peaceful conduct of activities on school district property.
To leave campus during the instructional day, students must be checked out by a parent or guardian. Students missing class without permission will be counted as truant and receive appropriate consequences.”
