Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:If you know you know. What they did today was so brave and beautiful, and it gives me real hope for the future. 💙

Agree. I saw them as I was driving by and tears came to my eyes. My dd participated and guesses 75% of students did based on what teachers said. I watched the videos and this was not kids cutting class.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUWPRadmFWA/?img_index=1

Thank you so much for sharing this IG link. Got me teary-eyed as well. I’m so proud of these kids for standing up for what’s right.

Kids holding posters F*uck Ice? Are you proud of such language?

They are speaking to the POTUS in the only type of language he understands. Savvy.

Then you are not different from Maga, just on the other side of the spectrum.
I really hope we have a leader that will unite rather than polarize the population. All the left and right extremists can continue fighting each other and leave us normal people alone. Im so sorry for the kids that are brainwashed on both sides. So sad that this country is falling apart

Explain to me what behavior demonstrated by these students would qualify as being brainwashed? Do we need to brainwash a teenager into feeling that denying citizens and non-citizens their due process rights is unconstitutional? Do we need to brainwash them into understanding that a badge doesn’t give someone the right to execute a person without a trial? These seem like common sense arguments and strong American values to me. But what do I know? I am just a Marine who spent 8 years fighting for and defending this US Constitution.

Show me articles about students in MoCo walking out of school when Obama was droning American citizens, imprisoning journalists, forcing whistleblowers like Snowden to flee to another country, and deporting 3 million people.

They never did because they’re…wait for it…brainwashed and only care about civil rights abuses or migrant rights when the other team is in power. They think they’re fighting the power but only “fight the power” when it doesn’t offend their rich white liberal parents’ sensibilities. That’s not brave at all. Leading a walk out in deep red Mississippi over ICE violations would be brave. Leading a walk out in a far left school district a vast majority of parents and teachers support you is not brave. Sorry.

here is a small sample of things MoCo HS students protested during the Biden years:

Hundreds of MCPS students walk out in protest of district’s handling of COVID-19
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2022/01/24/hundreds-of-mcps-students-walk-out-in-protest-of-districts-handling-of-covid-19/

Northwood Students Walk Out to Protest Delayed Facilities
https://www.mymcmedia.org/northwood-students-walk-out-to-protest-delayed-facilities/

MSP, BSU rally, raise awareness of racism in MCPS
https://www.thesentinel.com/communities/msp-bsu-rally-raise-awareness-of-racism-in-mcps/article_8a1547a4-8e5e-11ef-808b-1f3d044dcfe8.html

Walt Whitman High School students walk out in protest of antisemitic graffiti
https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1157895

Students Pen Letters Calling for Ceasefire in Palestine
https://www.mymcmedia.org/students-pen-letters-calling-for-ceasefire-in-palestine/

RM students hold walkout to advocate for gun control
https://thermtide.com/16719/popular/rm-students-hold-walkout-to-advocate-for-gun-control/

It’s Really Disheartening’: Walter Johnson Students Stage Walk-Out In Response to Racist, Homophobic Graffiti
https://www.mymcmedia.org/its-really-disheartening-walter-johnson-students-stage-walk-out-in-response-to-racist-homophobic-graffiti/

As a BCC neighbor, I have frequently seen protests - peace rallies on the corner lead by teacher Coleman McCarthy ( long before Trump), Black Lives Matter protests, gun control protests (many MoCo students went to March for Our Lives and some even helped organize it), and, of course, DMV students collectively (organized by Wilson HS but with contingents from HS in MD and DC both public and private, were the first US citizens to protest Trump immediately after his first election and before the Women’s March….

https://wtop.com/dc/2016/11/protests-continue-hundreds-dc-students-walk-class-rally-trump/

The comparison you give to prove that the MoCo students are driven by liberal prejudice against Trump is a bit inapposite - Obama drone policy, journalist arrests and Snowden, while arguably civil rights or law of war violations, are violations against a small number of people often far away about issues that are executive-driven making it hard to get mass support and hard to target mass support in a way that would matter electorally. While I think drone policy (which started under Bush and was maintained and expanded in someways under Obama) is a civil rights and law of war violation, it is an expansion that has happened under Democratic and Republican administrations and was wildly expanded under Trump in the form of drone strikes on non-combatant alleged drug running boats in international waters. No one - adults nor students - has protested any of that. As is common with foreign policy issues short of outright war, citizen engagement is low and most of the “protest” against these policies happen in policy, advocacy, legislative and diaspora communities.

Students did not protest Obama deportation policy like they are protesting Trump deportation policy, because OFC, deportation in the Obama administration was largely done within the confines of the rule of law while giving people notice and opportunity to contest. What students (and adults) are protesting today is not the deportation itself but rather the manner in which it is being done - in contravention of the Constitution, without judicial warrants, without notice, with no opportunity to contest, without an opportunity to consult an attorney, and in a way that is disappearing deportees and forcing them to live in inhumane conditions without adequate access to food, medical care and basic heat and sleep, and when deportees are able to get into court USDOJ attorneys are lying or misrepresenting facts and flouting judicial orders (in many dozens of cases). Additionally, people are protesting the scope of Trump’s deportation. Trump ran on deporting “criminal” immigrants, but when he got into office, it became apparent that he wanted to deport all immigrants - many of whom turned out to be longstanding pillars of communities, little innocent children or spouses or parents of US citizens.

The fact that Republicans don’t see this difference is going to be their downfall. I have no doubt if the Trump Administration had stuck to deporting convicted criminals, they would have succeeded. But instead they let their inner racism flag fly by characterizing all immigrants as criminal merely by nature of their immigration, whether done in accordance with legal process or not, and then empowering ICE to use force and violence to detain anyone with brown skin or a foreign accent without other probable cause or reasonable suspicion of a crime - a tactic we should not forget was blessed by Justice Kavanaugh himself (may he go down ignominiously in history as both a sexual assault accused and a racist). The Trump Administrations own actions have created a tremendous backlash.

Blaming the backlash on snowflake liberals is just abusive DARVO tactics - Deny, Attack, Reverse, Victim and Offender.

Anonymous wrote:For all of you “schools are indoctrinating our kids” folks, if your kids are so apt and so quick to adopt the qualities and opinions of their teachers, what does that say about you as a parent? I don’t know about you but if a stranger had a bigger influence on shaping my child than I did I would have to do a lot of thinking about why my kids clearly don’t respect me.

In my household I try not to *indoctrinate* my children. I always say get as many viewpoints as you can and decide what is better for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For all of you “schools are indoctrinating our kids” folks, if your kids are so apt and so quick to adopt the qualities and opinions of their teachers, what does that say about you as a parent? I don’t know about you but if a stranger had a bigger influence on shaping my child than I did I would have to do a lot of thinking about why my kids clearly don’t respect me.

You only say that because you agree with their ideology. If they were indoctrinating kids with Evangelical Christianity you'd be shrieking.

I mean I go to Church every Sunday and consider myself to be a fairly strong and well meaning Christian. Because of my fundamental beliefs in Christianity, I believe and understand that all of my neighbors and community deserves my love and support regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, and immigration status. Basic human decency should not be a political talking point and frankly as a Christian I am disgusted that it has become one.

For all of you “schools are indoctrinating our kids” folks, if your kids are so apt and so quick to adopt the qualities and opinions of their teachers, what does that say about you as a parent? I don’t know about you but if a stranger had a bigger influence on shaping my child than I did I would have to do a lot of thinking about why my kids clearly don’t respect me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you know you know. What they did today was so brave and beautiful, and it gives me real hope for the future. 💙

Agree. I saw them as I was driving by and tears came to my eyes. My dd participated and guesses 75% of students did based on what teachers said. I watched the videos and this was not kids cutting class.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUWPRadmFWA/?img_index=1

Thank you so much for sharing this IG link. Got me teary-eyed as well. I’m so proud of these kids for standing up for what’s right.

Kids holding posters F*uck Ice? Are you proud of such language?

They are speaking to the POTUS in the only type of language he understands. Savvy.

Then you are not different from Maga, just on the other side of the spectrum.
I really hope we have a leader that will unite rather than polarize the population. All the left and right extremists can continue fighting each other and leave us normal people alone. Im so sorry for the kids that are brainwashed on both sides. So sad that this country is falling apart

Explain to me what behavior demonstrated by these students would qualify as being brainwashed? Do we need to brainwash a teenager into feeling that denying citizens and non-citizens their due process rights is unconstitutional? Do we need to brainwash them into understanding that a badge doesn’t give someone the right to execute a person without a trial? These seem like common sense arguments and strong American values to me. But what do I know? I am just a Marine who spent 8 years fighting for and defending this US Constitution.

Show me articles about students in MoCo walking out of school when Obama was droning American citizens, imprisoning journalists, forcing whistleblowers like Snowden to flee to another country, and deporting 3 million people.

They never did because they’re…wait for it…brainwashed and only care about civil rights abuses or migrant rights when the other team is in power. They think they’re fighting the power but only “fight the power” when it doesn’t offend their rich white liberal parents’ sensibilities. That’s not brave at all. Leading a walk out in deep red Mississippi over ICE violations would be brave. Leading a walk out in a far left school district a vast majority of parents and teachers support you is not brave. Sorry.

Anonymous wrote:Russian trolls going strong in this thread.

I would think that Russia and China would be encouraging mass illegal immigration, not discouraging it, because it breeds political instability and leads to the rise of far right movements (see most of Europe’s reaction to Angela Merkel’s opening up the EU to a massive influx of migrants). Countries that can’t control their borders are historically more unstable than counties that can’t.

Anonymous wrote:This walk out was as effective as this dance, though way less funny.

https://youtu.be/5Nuvlkm8x_w?si=y3fLxqExMt1s_Db2

What is the point of that? The best protest is that the artists are pulling out and no one is using the facility. Its ashame but hopefully in a few years it will have a good come back.

This walk out was as effective as this dance, though way less funny.

https://youtu.be/5Nuvlkm8x_w?si=y3fLxqExMt1s_Db2

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:... and that made an impact on ICE policies? Congratulations on an early exposure to pointless protests. Were they wearing an "I stand with Minnesota" sticker while walking out of class?

Why do you hate America and its children?

Some of us are worried our kids will be taken by ice. We got bigger problems than worrying about you wearing a sticker.

And many BCC students are worried about their friends and classmates being taken by ICE. Or their friends’ parents being taken. I am proud of these kids for exercising their right to free speech.

No. This is more performative BS so they can write a better college essay. Like preaching to the converted so they can feel better about themselves without actually doing anything. How about doing this in front of DHS HQ or maybe a deep red area of state or country and in an area that ICE is targeting? Maybe then I’d see this as something meaningful.

+1000. This is "Armchair activism"

Said the person sitting on her duff writing cranky messages on an anonymous chat board 😂

DP. But that’s all you got? An ad hominem attack? I guess that’s the last refuge when the facts are inconvenient. This isn’t a “protest” with real consequences. This isn’t the March on Selma or a sit in. Heck, they couldn’t even be bothered to do this on their own time! What they are doing is the equivalent of virtue signaling with a “in this house sign, we believe”. A less charitable read is they’re cutting class and getting away with it while using the current issue of the day as cover. You know, like they did with BLM and Ukraine flags over the last several years. Oh yeah, where’s the activism now and what difference did those make? Doesn’t make as good copy for the college essay this year?

Do you have this attitude when college students protested Palestine, Iraq War, etc.? Student activism happens on school campuses in both K-12 and higher ed. This has always been the case.

Why would high schoolers not be allowed to protest current events but college students can?

Your feelings aren't based on the law or even a consistent logic.

You just created a straw man. No one is talking about college students. We’re talking about high school kids legally required to be in school who also just lost more than a week to snow days. They’re not making a difference to anyone but themselves and frankly, that time would’ve been better spent learning. Want to protest and make an impact? Do it on your own time and do it where you speak truth to power. And face the potential consequences of doing so. This ain’t it. This is a sad Potemkin village of a protest.

It is not a strawman. Just because they are minors does not mean they are stripped of their Constitutional rights as we KEEP telling you.

You also are a poor student of history.

SOURCE: https://time.com/7266632/history-high-school-student-activism/

High school students are organizing politically in ways reminiscent of their counterparts more than 50 years ago. When people think of student activism, they typically picture college campuses. Yet, during the 1960s and 1970s, teenagers built social movements that intersected with broader grassroots struggles and responded to both local and national issues. This activism is little remembered today, in part because it remained largely localized and national coverage was short lived. But these youth-led movements have had a long-lasting impact on school districts across the U.S., and they can provide young people today with clues as to what enables successful student activism.

In the mid 1960s, with the Vietnam War intensifying and Black Power and Chicano movements rising, teenagers once again emerged on the political front lines as they advocated for civil and constitutional rights, as well as curriculum changes and other reforms to improve their education. These protests occurred all across the nation, in large cities, suburbs, and small towns.

Activism among high school students often began with small acts such as by protesting the war by wearing black armbands. But this symbolic move carried consequences. In December 1965, when a group of teenagers in Des Moines, Iowa arrived to school wearing the insignia, school officials suspended them and barred them from returning until they removed the material. The students responded with a lawsuit against the school district, which eventually went before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1969, in Tinker v. Des Moines, the Court ruled that “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The decision established unequivocally that students had at least some free speech rights. Even so, school officials continued to challenge the boundaries of what they could say and do.

Undeterred by the pushback from administrators and the potential for discipline, many teenagers joined anti-war organizations, while others created their own groups and organized their peers. They pressured school districts to offer classes about the draft and legal alternatives, invited anti-war speakers to offset the influence of military recruiters, and negotiated with administrators to leave class for major demonstrations.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Go away, please.

No, I think I’ll stay because I’ve clearly touched a nerve. I’m well aware of what actual activism looks like and this isn’t it. This is a tantrum, a spectacle, and doesn’t speak to those that they would hope to influence. You, of course, ignored all that and assume by asking these kids to do this on their own time AND to the powers that be that could actually influence change, that I’m somehow depriving them of their constitutional rights. No, all you wanted was to bask in the praise of your fellow UMC liberal, Bethesda parents. So that we’d all nod and say, “how brave your DD is!” Instead of why did he/she walk out when we’re already behind in learning this quarter? And why aren’t they focused on protesting in front of DHS or ICE or even just raising money for immigration charities?

DP. The quarter just started. The school day schedule modified. most teachers were waiting for a full day of school/regular length of class time to delve into new topic or regular workload. So they are not behind in learning in the way you are saying (gawd hope you are not that AP class visitor to the forums this past week). They were learning yesterday. And clearly from your posts, you could use some learning too.

My kids teachers were teaching. If you are a teacher, stop being lazy and teach. Walking out of a school is not putting in any effort, its following the crowd. Organizing or going to actual protests on your own time would be more impressive.

Good for you and your kids if they actually were. Teachers taught today.

You do realize these are just the rich kids at no risk. Fake protests.

Not sure to which poster you are responding. There is definitely more than one above. Instead of writing here, why don't you write to the student body (at the various schools) with why you don't agree with what they did and when they did it.

I don't need to. Thankfully my child's teacher told them if they leave they cannot make up the work and protest on their own time as they had material to cover.

Then what the fruck are you complaining about?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... and that made an impact on ICE policies? Congratulations on an early exposure to pointless protests. Were they wearing an "I stand with Minnesota" sticker while walking out of class?

Why do you hate America and its children?

Some of us are worried our kids will be taken by ice. We got bigger problems than worrying about you wearing a sticker.

And many BCC students are worried about their friends and classmates being taken by ICE. Or their friends’ parents being taken. I am proud of these kids for exercising their right to free speech.

No. This is more performative BS so they can write a better college essay. Like preaching to the converted so they can feel better about themselves without actually doing anything. How about doing this in front of DHS HQ or maybe a deep red area of state or country and in an area that ICE is targeting? Maybe then I’d see this as something meaningful.

+1000. This is "Armchair activism"

Said the person sitting on her duff writing cranky messages on an anonymous chat board 😂

DP. But that’s all you got? An ad hominem attack? I guess that’s the last refuge when the facts are inconvenient. This isn’t a “protest” with real consequences. This isn’t the March on Selma or a sit in. Heck, they couldn’t even be bothered to do this on their own time! What they are doing is the equivalent of virtue signaling with a “in this house sign, we believe”. A less charitable read is they’re cutting class and getting away with it while using the current issue of the day as cover. You know, like they did with BLM and Ukraine flags over the last several years. Oh yeah, where’s the activism now and what difference did those make? Doesn’t make as good copy for the college essay this year?

Do you have this attitude when college students protested Palestine, Iraq War, etc.? Student activism happens on school campuses in both K-12 and higher ed. This has always been the case.

Why would high schoolers not be allowed to protest current events but college students can?

Your feelings aren't based on the law or even a consistent logic.

You just created a straw man. No one is talking about college students. We’re talking about high school kids legally required to be in school who also just lost more than a week to snow days. They’re not making a difference to anyone but themselves and frankly, that time would’ve been better spent learning. Want to protest and make an impact? Do it on your own time and do it where you speak truth to power. And face the potential consequences of doing so. This ain’t it. This is a sad Potemkin village of a protest.

It is not a strawman. Just because they are minors does not mean they are stripped of their Constitutional rights as we KEEP telling you.

You also are a poor student of history.

SOURCE: https://time.com/7266632/history-high-school-student-activism/

High school students are organizing politically in ways reminiscent of their counterparts more than 50 years ago. When people think of student activism, they typically picture college campuses. Yet, during the 1960s and 1970s, teenagers built social movements that intersected with broader grassroots struggles and responded to both local and national issues. This activism is little remembered today, in part because it remained largely localized and national coverage was short lived. But these youth-led movements have had a long-lasting impact on school districts across the U.S., and they can provide young people today with clues as to what enables successful student activism.

In the mid 1960s, with the Vietnam War intensifying and Black Power and Chicano movements rising, teenagers once again emerged on the political front lines as they advocated for civil and constitutional rights, as well as curriculum changes and other reforms to improve their education. These protests occurred all across the nation, in large cities, suburbs, and small towns.

Activism among high school students often began with small acts such as by protesting the war by wearing black armbands. But this symbolic move carried consequences. In December 1965, when a group of teenagers in Des Moines, Iowa arrived to school wearing the insignia, school officials suspended them and barred them from returning until they removed the material. The students responded with a lawsuit against the school district, which eventually went before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1969, in Tinker v. Des Moines, the Court ruled that “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The decision established unequivocally that students had at least some free speech rights. Even so, school officials continued to challenge the boundaries of what they could say and do.

Undeterred by the pushback from administrators and the potential for discipline, many teenagers joined anti-war organizations, while others created their own groups and organized their peers. They pressured school districts to offer classes about the draft and legal alternatives, invited anti-war speakers to offset the influence of military recruiters, and negotiated with administrators to leave class for major demonstrations.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Go away, please.

No, I think I’ll stay because I’ve clearly touched a nerve. I’m well aware of what actual activism looks like and this isn’t it. This is a tantrum, a spectacle, and doesn’t speak to those that they would hope to influence. You, of course, ignored all that and assume by asking these kids to do this on their own time AND to the powers that be that could actually influence change, that I’m somehow depriving them of their constitutional rights. No, all you wanted was to bask in the praise of your fellow UMC liberal, Bethesda parents. So that we’d all nod and say, “how brave your DD is!” Instead of why did he/she walk out when we’re already behind in learning this quarter? And why aren’t they focused on protesting in front of DHS or ICE or even just raising money for immigration charities?

DP. The quarter just started. The school day schedule modified. most teachers were waiting for a full day of school/regular length of class time to delve into new topic or regular workload. So they are not behind in learning in the way you are saying (gawd hope you are not that AP class visitor to the forums this past week). They were learning yesterday. And clearly from your posts, you could use some learning too.

My kids teachers were teaching. If you are a teacher, stop being lazy and teach. Walking out of a school is not putting in any effort, its following the crowd. Organizing or going to actual protests on your own time would be more impressive.

Good for you and your kids if they actually were. Teachers taught today.

You do realize these are just the rich kids at no risk. Fake protests.

Not sure to which poster you are responding. There is definitely more than one above. Instead of writing here, why don't you write to the student body (at the various schools) with why you don't agree with what they did and when they did it.

I don't need to. Thankfully my child's teacher told them if they leave they cannot make up the work and protest on their own time as they had material to cover.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... and that made an impact on ICE policies? Congratulations on an early exposure to pointless protests. Were they wearing an "I stand with Minnesota" sticker while walking out of class?

Why do you hate America and its children?

Children show learn how to read and write and understand the meaning of what they read first. This is not happening in MCPS.

Oh, the irony. You might consider polishing up your own writing skills.

THAT's all you got?
DP

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... and that made an impact on ICE policies? Congratulations on an early exposure to pointless protests. Were they wearing an "I stand with Minnesota" sticker while walking out of class?

Why do you hate America and its children?

Some of us are worried our kids will be taken by ice. We got bigger problems than worrying about you wearing a sticker.

And many BCC students are worried about their friends and classmates being taken by ICE. Or their friends’ parents being taken. I am proud of these kids for exercising their right to free speech.

No. This is more performative BS so they can write a better college essay. Like preaching to the converted so they can feel better about themselves without actually doing anything. How about doing this in front of DHS HQ or maybe a deep red area of state or country and in an area that ICE is targeting? Maybe then I’d see this as something meaningful.

+1000. This is "Armchair activism"

Said the person sitting on her duff writing cranky messages on an anonymous chat board 😂

DP. But that’s all you got? An ad hominem attack? I guess that’s the last refuge when the facts are inconvenient. This isn’t a “protest” with real consequences. This isn’t the March on Selma or a sit in. Heck, they couldn’t even be bothered to do this on their own time! What they are doing is the equivalent of virtue signaling with a “in this house sign, we believe”. A less charitable read is they’re cutting class and getting away with it while using the current issue of the day as cover. You know, like they did with BLM and Ukraine flags over the last several years. Oh yeah, where’s the activism now and what difference did those make? Doesn’t make as good copy for the college essay this year?

Do you have this attitude when college students protested Palestine, Iraq War, etc.? Student activism happens on school campuses in both K-12 and higher ed. This has always been the case.

Why would high schoolers not be allowed to protest current events but college students can?

Your feelings aren't based on the law or even a consistent logic.

You just created a straw man. No one is talking about college students. We’re talking about high school kids legally required to be in school who also just lost more than a week to snow days. They’re not making a difference to anyone but themselves and frankly, that time would’ve been better spent learning. Want to protest and make an impact? Do it on your own time and do it where you speak truth to power. And face the potential consequences of doing so. This ain’t it. This is a sad Potemkin village of a protest.

It is not a strawman. Just because they are minors does not mean they are stripped of their Constitutional rights as we KEEP telling you.

You also are a poor student of history.

SOURCE: https://time.com/7266632/history-high-school-student-activism/

High school students are organizing politically in ways reminiscent of their counterparts more than 50 years ago. When people think of student activism, they typically picture college campuses. Yet, during the 1960s and 1970s, teenagers built social movements that intersected with broader grassroots struggles and responded to both local and national issues. This activism is little remembered today, in part because it remained largely localized and national coverage was short lived. But these youth-led movements have had a long-lasting impact on school districts across the U.S., and they can provide young people today with clues as to what enables successful student activism.

In the mid 1960s, with the Vietnam War intensifying and Black Power and Chicano movements rising, teenagers once again emerged on the political front lines as they advocated for civil and constitutional rights, as well as curriculum changes and other reforms to improve their education. These protests occurred all across the nation, in large cities, suburbs, and small towns.

Activism among high school students often began with small acts such as by protesting the war by wearing black armbands. But this symbolic move carried consequences. In December 1965, when a group of teenagers in Des Moines, Iowa arrived to school wearing the insignia, school officials suspended them and barred them from returning until they removed the material. The students responded with a lawsuit against the school district, which eventually went before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1969, in Tinker v. Des Moines, the Court ruled that “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The decision established unequivocally that students had at least some free speech rights. Even so, school officials continued to challenge the boundaries of what they could say and do.

Undeterred by the pushback from administrators and the potential for discipline, many teenagers joined anti-war organizations, while others created their own groups and organized their peers. They pressured school districts to offer classes about the draft and legal alternatives, invited anti-war speakers to offset the influence of military recruiters, and negotiated with administrators to leave class for major demonstrations.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Go away, please.

No, I think I’ll stay because I’ve clearly touched a nerve. I’m well aware of what actual activism looks like and this isn’t it. This is a tantrum, a spectacle, and doesn’t speak to those that they would hope to influence. You, of course, ignored all that and assume by asking these kids to do this on their own time AND to the powers that be that could actually influence change, that I’m somehow depriving them of their constitutional rights. No, all you wanted was to bask in the praise of your fellow UMC liberal, Bethesda parents. So that we’d all nod and say, “how brave your DD is!” Instead of why did he/she walk out when we’re already behind in learning this quarter? And why aren’t they focused on protesting in front of DHS or ICE or even just raising money for immigration charities?

DP. The quarter just started. The school day schedule modified. most teachers were waiting for a full day of school/regular length of class time to delve into new topic or regular workload. So they are not behind in learning in the way you are saying (gawd hope you are not that AP class visitor to the forums this past week). They were learning yesterday. And clearly from your posts, you could use some learning too.

My kids teachers were teaching. If you are a teacher, stop being lazy and teach. Walking out of a school is not putting in any effort, its following the crowd. Organizing or going to actual protests on your own time would be more impressive.

Good for you and your kids if they actually were. Teachers taught today.

You do realize these are just the rich kids at no risk. Fake protests.

Not sure to which poster you are responding. There is definitely more than one above. Instead of writing here, why don't you write to the student body (at the various schools) with why you don't agree with what they did and when they did it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... and that made an impact on ICE policies? Congratulations on an early exposure to pointless protests. Were they wearing an "I stand with Minnesota" sticker while walking out of class?

Why do you hate America and its children?

Children show learn how to read and write and understand the meaning of what they read first. This is not happening in MCPS.

Oh, the irony. You might consider polishing up your own writing skills.

Oh, come on. This is ridiculous and reflects poorly on you. The poster simply forgot to delete “show” from their text. We’ve all done that when posting or texting.

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... and that made an impact on ICE policies? Congratulations on an early exposure to pointless protests. Were they wearing an "I stand with Minnesota" sticker while walking out of class?

Why do you hate America and its children?

Some of us are worried our kids will be taken by ice. We got bigger problems than worrying about you wearing a sticker.

And many BCC students are worried about their friends and classmates being taken by ICE. Or their friends’ parents being taken. I am proud of these kids for exercising their right to free speech.

No. This is more performative BS so they can write a better college essay. Like preaching to the converted so they can feel better about themselves without actually doing anything. How about doing this in front of DHS HQ or maybe a deep red area of state or country and in an area that ICE is targeting? Maybe then I’d see this as something meaningful.

+1000. This is "Armchair activism"

Said the person sitting on her duff writing cranky messages on an anonymous chat board 😂

DP. But that’s all you got? An ad hominem attack? I guess that’s the last refuge when the facts are inconvenient. This isn’t a “protest” with real consequences. This isn’t the March on Selma or a sit in. Heck, they couldn’t even be bothered to do this on their own time! What they are doing is the equivalent of virtue signaling with a “in this house sign, we believe”. A less charitable read is they’re cutting class and getting away with it while using the current issue of the day as cover. You know, like they did with BLM and Ukraine flags over the last several years. Oh yeah, where’s the activism now and what difference did those make? Doesn’t make as good copy for the college essay this year?

Do you have this attitude when college students protested Palestine, Iraq War, etc.? Student activism happens on school campuses in both K-12 and higher ed. This has always been the case.

Why would high schoolers not be allowed to protest current events but college students can?

Your feelings aren't based on the law or even a consistent logic.

You just created a straw man. No one is talking about college students. We’re talking about high school kids legally required to be in school who also just lost more than a week to snow days. They’re not making a difference to anyone but themselves and frankly, that time would’ve been better spent learning. Want to protest and make an impact? Do it on your own time and do it where you speak truth to power. And face the potential consequences of doing so. This ain’t it. This is a sad Potemkin village of a protest.

It is not a strawman. Just because they are minors does not mean they are stripped of their Constitutional rights as we KEEP telling you.

You also are a poor student of history.

SOURCE: https://time.com/7266632/history-high-school-student-activism/

High school students are organizing politically in ways reminiscent of their counterparts more than 50 years ago. When people think of student activism, they typically picture college campuses. Yet, during the 1960s and 1970s, teenagers built social movements that intersected with broader grassroots struggles and responded to both local and national issues. This activism is little remembered today, in part because it remained largely localized and national coverage was short lived. But these youth-led movements have had a long-lasting impact on school districts across the U.S., and they can provide young people today with clues as to what enables successful student activism.

In the mid 1960s, with the Vietnam War intensifying and Black Power and Chicano movements rising, teenagers once again emerged on the political front lines as they advocated for civil and constitutional rights, as well as curriculum changes and other reforms to improve their education. These protests occurred all across the nation, in large cities, suburbs, and small towns.

Activism among high school students often began with small acts such as by protesting the war by wearing black armbands. But this symbolic move carried consequences. In December 1965, when a group of teenagers in Des Moines, Iowa arrived to school wearing the insignia, school officials suspended them and barred them from returning until they removed the material. The students responded with a lawsuit against the school district, which eventually went before the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1969, in Tinker v. Des Moines, the Court ruled that “It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” The decision established unequivocally that students had at least some free speech rights. Even so, school officials continued to challenge the boundaries of what they could say and do.

Undeterred by the pushback from administrators and the potential for discipline, many teenagers joined anti-war organizations, while others created their own groups and organized their peers. They pressured school districts to offer classes about the draft and legal alternatives, invited anti-war speakers to offset the influence of military recruiters, and negotiated with administrators to leave class for major demonstrations.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Go away, please.

No, I think I’ll stay because I’ve clearly touched a nerve. I’m well aware of what actual activism looks like and this isn’t it. This is a tantrum, a spectacle, and doesn’t speak to those that they would hope to influence. You, of course, ignored all that and assume by asking these kids to do this on their own time AND to the powers that be that could actually influence change, that I’m somehow depriving them of their constitutional rights. No, all you wanted was to bask in the praise of your fellow UMC liberal, Bethesda parents. So that we’d all nod and say, “how brave your DD is!” Instead of why did he/she walk out when we’re already behind in learning this quarter? And why aren’t they focused on protesting in front of DHS or ICE or even just raising money for immigration charities?

DP. The quarter just started. The school day schedule modified. most teachers were waiting for a full day of school/regular length of class time to delve into new topic or regular workload. So they are not behind in learning in the way you are saying (gawd hope you are not that AP class visitor to the forums this past week). They were learning yesterday. And clearly from your posts, you could use some learning too.

My kids teachers were teaching. If you are a teacher, stop being lazy and teach. Walking out of a school is not putting in any effort, its following the crowd. Organizing or going to actual protests on your own time would be more impressive.

Good for you and your kids if they actually were. Teachers taught today.

You do realize these are just the rich kids at no risk. Fake protests.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:... and that made an impact on ICE policies? Congratulations on an early exposure to pointless protests. Were they wearing an "I stand with Minnesota" sticker while walking out of class?

Why do you hate America and its children?

Children show learn how to read and write and understand the meaning of what they read first. This is not happening in MCPS.

Oh, the irony. You might consider polishing up your own writing skills.