Posted on 03/17/2018 1:48:16 AM PDT by John Semmens
This week, various schools across the country sponsored "walkouts" in memory of the 17 students and faculty members killed in the Feb 14th massacre carried out by Nikolas Cruz at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In other schools students took it upon themselves to walkout without permission.
New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) warned school administrators not to punish students who engaged in unsanctioned walkouts, asserting that "it would be wrong. Threatening to discipline students for participating in the peaceful demonstrations is not only inappropriate, it is unconstitutional. Demonstrations against gun violence are protected by the First Amendment right to peaceably assemble and petition government for a redress of grievances."
If the Governor's plea were a genuine advocacy for freedom of speech it would be laudable. Many schools have exhibited antagonism toward free speech. For example, in some schools where students were encouraged to participate in the anti-gun protest, dissenters were not encouraged to voice their contrary views.
In Hilliard Davidson High School in Ohio, senior Jacob Shoemaker was given a suspension for refusing to join fellow students who walked out. "Divisive politics have no place in America's schools," Shoemaker argued. School district spokesperson Stacie Raterman said "Shoemaker was warned repeatedly that his demand to receive instruction in his classroom would not be honored by the administration. His refusal to exit the building constituted an illegal presence on school property."
In New Prague High School in Minnesota one student attempted to express a divergent opinion by holding a sign saying "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." Principal Lonnie Seifert accosted the student and threatened to have him arrested for "trying to disrupt the solidarity of the student body on this crucial issue of public safety. No one else there agreed with him. Why should he be allowed to prevent unanimity?"
In California, a Rocklin High School history teacher was put on administrative leave for conducting a class discussion about political protests. Julianne Benzel asked students whether it was appropriate for the school to sanction some protests, but not others. "The school was permitting students who wanted to challenge gun laws time off from class to protest," she said. "Should the school then also allow students time off to protest on other issues, like abortion?" While her students were able to engage in a dialog on the question, complaints from a parent led to her subsequent suspension from her duties. A hearing on whether she should be dismissed has been scheduled.
In Chicago, students from the Simeon Career Academy used their 17 minutes of sanctioned out-of-school time to harass nearby businesses, intimidate employees, steal merchandise and vandalize displays. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel acknowledged that "I don't think this was envisioned by school officials when they agreed to allow the students out for the protest. On the other hand, I don't think we can just dismiss this form of expression as unwarranted lawbreaking. There could be legitimate reasons behind the looting and trashing of these businesses near the school. Perhaps the students had been ripped off by high prices or dissed by poor service. We shouldn't condemn these young people unless we have walked in their shoes."
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Opinion/236665-2018-03-17-semi-news-semi-satire-march-18-2018-edition.htm
ping
If the kids had any brains they’d be protesting the low quality education they are getting.
It’s funny because it’s true !
Please, use the correct name in referring to the event. It was
“National Looting Day”
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