A group of high schoolers in Spring Township, Pennsylvania, attempted to stage a walkout to protest ICE. However, they were warned they would get suspended if they participated in the demonstrations, and while some did so regardless, many others changed their minds.
TikTok user othersideofanalia (Analia), a student at Wilson High School, originally shared the tense moment online. An unnamed school official told the students, who were already out of the building for the walkout, that they would be “good” if they went “back to class.”
“If you stay out here, we will get your names. You will be suspended,” the man said, as students looked at each other in disbelief. “That is your option at this point.”
According to the official, a scheduled event was canceled, and the students staging the walkout were acting beyond what was “granted.” One student began arguing with him, saying they had a right to demonstrate.
“You left school without permission. Your rights do not supersede the school,” the man clapped back.
After repeating himself and telling the students their “options,” the clip ended. Analia captioned her clip, writing, “No protest for us.”
The clip garnered more than 100,000 likes and more than 5,000 comments. Opinions were divided: some bashed the Pennsylvania school official for threatening suspensions, while others celebrated that the school acted the way it did.
“We ALL know who he voted for…” one user said. Another one commented, “I don’t care, I’m getting suspended.” A third added, “Finally accountability. Kids are kids, not adults,” and another user agreed, saying, “Finally a school that cares about the children.”
School Walkout, Previous Statement
As reported by WFMZ, district officials revealed that approximately 60 students held a protest after leaving class without permission. Apparently, the “event” the school official referred to was a potential anti-ICE demonstration that was ultimately canceled. It is unclear if all 60 students were ultimately suspended.
Days before the walkout, Wilson High School issued a statement regarding ICE protests at the school. The Pennsylvania school’s message focused on staff members, requiring them to remain neutral and not organize or promote “demonstrations or walkouts of any kind.”
However, the statement also touched on the students’ right to express themselves:
“At the same time, when students independently choose to express their views, the role of school administration is to ensure that all students and staff are safe and that students can exercise their constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly in a respectful and orderly manner,” the statement read.
The school has yet to address the recent walkout.
