Student walkouts spark controversy on local and state levels

Several student walkouts have been seen across the state of Oklahoma in the last few months. As the number of communities that ICE appears in grows, so too do the number of these walkouts. On February 13, high school students in Lawton, Oklahoma from Lawton High, MacArthur, and Eisenhower organized walkouts to express their opinions about ICE activity.

As soon as word of the plan for these walkouts spread, adult members of the community began chiming in to share their perspective. Some expressed support and pride in the students standing up for what they believe, others expressed concern over student safety, and some members completely opposed the idea of the walkout. Ultimately, it was the students’ decision to exercise their first amendment right and they did so by planning, organizing, and going through with the protest.

Police officers and community members alike showed up to the areas students marched across. Like the feedback to the idea of the walkout, their reasons for being there were mixed. Some community members and officers were there to offer support and protection to the students, while others expressed disapproval. Regardless, these kids made their way to City Hall, adorned with statement shirts, signs, and flags.

Payton, a junior from Eisenhower shared his reasoning for partaking in the walk out, claiming he wasn’t doing it to join nationwide protests, but because he personally knows people who’ve been negatively impacted by ICE and wants to take a stand for them. He shared that he wasn’t as informed on ICE activity in other states but what he was aware of within his own community was enough to make him want to protest. 

“I’m doing this because I think a lot of people are saying things like ‘you could have just done it on a Saturday’ or ‘you could’ve done it after school’ because that would be a lot more convenient or maybe civil, some people would argue,” Payton said. “I believe that just the act of an entire city – all the schools coming here when they’re not supposed to – is an act that will bring lots of attention to the movement.”

Payton also shared that his sources of information came from various places and forms because he doesn’t feel that just going to online sources from a phone is reliable. He noted that he believes both political parties share propaganda which is why it’s important to be properly informed and utilize various resources when making a decision to participate in a movement that takes a bold stance, such as the walkout. 

Another student, James from MacArthur High School, was more able to look past the members of the community condemning the walkout because he had support at home. While he didn’t expand on whether his parents agreed with his stance or not, he said they did support his decision to take part in the walkout.

“They understood I have a right to express my views and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” James said.

Prior to the walkout taking place Lawton Public Schools released a public statement warning against the walkout because it would result in absences and students who participated would be “subject to disciplinary action without proper notification.” At the end, the statement urged parents to sit down and talk with their children about the importance of attending class and “expressing opinions in appropriate ways and at appropriate times.” Dark Roast reached out to several administrative members to get more insight on their stance but received no communication. 

In response, many community members who supported the students’ decision to do the walkout brought up various instances in which there have been large numbers of students absent from classes, such as senior ditch days, and no such notices were sent out. In relation, on the day of the walkout, city councilwoman Sherene Williams shared a post on Facebook detailing how school absences can affect state funding. The information detailed that absences, excused or not, impacted the per-pupil allocation. 

A teacher from one of the three high schools that partook in the walkout reached out to Dark Roast, asking to remain anonymous for the sake of their job. They shared that they understood why the district released the notice with a focus on absences, rather than trying to stop the walkout themselves. That said, the teacher also shared that they supported the students’ rights to voice their views on the matter. While this teacher chose not to listen to plans for the walkout or voice their opinion on it to remain professionally neutral on the matter, they were impressed by how quickly the students managed to organize such an event on their own.

“I could not tell them this myself, but I want to make sure they know how much hope today has given me; hope that this generation is not as apathetic as I thought and wants more out of life than just mindless entertainment. Paying attention to what is going on and taking a stand for what they believe is a core US value,” the teacher said.

While the teacher acknowledged that there were probably some kids in the mix that were just looking for an opportunity to skip class, based on the talk around school, it was evident there were a ton of kids doing it because they believed in speaking up against what they view as injustices. The teacher also added that they were concerned for students’ safety because Lawton isn’t the most walker-friendly city, but they were hopeful responsible adults would step up to ensure the safety of students involved. They also acknowledged that it was important they, and other teachers, didn’t share with students their opinion on the matter – whichever side they were on – because it’s not the role of teachers to persuade.

“I had no problem with this being during school – it almost had to be,” the teacher noted. “Would anyone have really cared or paid this much attention if the students had done it after school? Doubtful.”

After the walk out took place, multiple state lawmakers shared a letter requesting action in response to the multiple school walkouts across the state. The letter was addressed to recently appointed State Superintendent Fields, urging him to “take a clear, public stand against these organized protests and ensure our schools remain focused on education rather than activism.” The letter details suggested actions, such as investigating teachers believed to be associated with walkouts, enforcing disciplinary actions against these teachers, and providing a summary of the investigations. The letter was signed by 14 lawmakers. 

Dark Roast Report will continue to monitor updates pertaining to the walkouts, on a local and state level.