Hegseth’s visit to U.S. base in Germany met with student walkout

Washington Post ^ | February 11, 2025 | Dan Lamothe

[ransomnote]

BRUSSELS — Dozens of American students at a U.S. military installation in Germany walked out of their middle school on Tuesday as part of protests aimed at an official visit by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, underscoring the scope of disillusionment with the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The students attend Patch Middle School in Stuttgart, Germany, and peacefully walked out of class for nearly an hour, according to three people familiar with the matter and a letter sent to parents by a school administrator. Separately, a small group of adults dressed in civilian clothing — likely parents — gathered outside at Stuttgart and protested within view and earshot of Hegseth’s delegation, booing and chanting “DEI!”, according to video recorded by a reporter traveling with the secretary.

The protests were in response to President Donald Trump’s string of executive orders targeting diversity efforts throughout the U.S. government, directives Hegseth has carried out enthusiastically. Since he took over the Pentagon, Black History Month celebrations and other similar events have been banned and access to select books in Defense Department schools attended by the children of U.S. service members have been restricted. Those moves have drawn criticism from parents and students alike.

SNIP

The student said that she and other students decided to act after seeing how Trump’s executive orders would target diversity events, including a drama club performance that celebrated Black History Month with Motown songs. Many involved in the protest, she said, also were concerned with how the Trump administration’s directives would affect people in the LGBTQ+ community.

[pepsionice]

I watched a 30-second clip of the episode. What’d I describe...maybe a crowd of 40 total, and half were adults (mostly women), and half kids.

[llevrok]

There’s nothing like a few drama queens to stir things up

I can only imagine the dinner table conversation when mom or dad comes home from the base for the day.

[albie]

Little retards

[mass55th]

Using an excuse to do what you’d most like to do.

[Alvin Diogenes]

Students in middle school? They were put up to this by parents or teachers.

Shades of Greta Thunberg.

[SaveFerris]

[directives would affect people in the LGBTQ+ community.] It's like standing o Brainwashed by people who would relive Genesis chapter 19, and fulfilling that written in Luke 17:28-32 - with absolutely no idea of what is coming...incredible...

It's like standing on the dock in Southampton, frantically waving your arms about the iceberg they will hit, and they sneer at you as they board the luxury liner for the trip of a lifetime - a trip over 2/3 never survived ...



(newer version which includes verse 32) - both images posted
for effect

[ifinnegan]

Some Jr High kids cut class

Washington Post deems it major news.

[Vendome]

the U.S. military can walkout too....

[griffin]

Hope all student names were recorded for this truly historic and brave action. I’m sure their parrnts will be interesting to speak with.

[tired&retired]

That school just identified themselves as part of the problem.

[alexander_busek]

I went to those AFES schools in the early 60’s. We had a good time when Europe was europe. Now, no desire to venture into ever declining EUtopia.

Have lived here near Kelly Barracks (Stuttgart) for more than four decades.

Have noticed, over the past ca. 20 years, that military personnel I randomly encounter at the bakery, etc. are usually just itching to make some vile remark about conservative politics / politicians. They generally drop some off-the-cuff remark with the same insouciance with which you or I might comment on the weather.

I'm talking mostly about higher-ranking personnel.

I find it especially offensive insofar as they couldn't possibly know my own political orientation - but they say these things as though it were the most-natural thing in the world.

Regards,

[FLT-bird]

I’m sure that was the middle schoolers’ idea. :rolleyes:

[Samurai_Jack]

“rather prodded I bet by the teachers”

That was my first thought in this situation. What’s required here is a curriculum audit. Lets get some transparency into what exactly you’re teaching these kids.

[paudio]

15 years ago is 2010. The height of Obama’s administration. So, that’s actually the real walkout against a sitting US Presidwnt.

[LuxAerterna]

Afro nationalism is a real security risk in the military. I’ve seen it myself several times. Currently service members who egged on this so-called walkout should be dismissed for being unreliable and disloyal.

[LuxAerterna]

Hegseth should promptly discharge the parents of these brats.

100% correct. These parent obviously consider racial identity as being more important that national loyalty. They are unreliable and disloyal.

[USAF1985]

So maybe time to cancel the accompanied tour and send the protesting dependents home to the US while their sponsor finishes their European assignment?

[Fireone]

Middle school students protesting the removal of the very curriculum that trains school shooters.
Can’t make this stuff up!

[BobL]

Looks like there’s still some USAID money in circulation.

[BobL]

“Middle school ??? What are they putting in the milk ???”

It’s the teachers, obviously. Hopefully Hegseth finds out who’s doing this crap and boots them.