Cobb and DeKalb schools warn students over planned ICE protests
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At least two metro Atlanta school districts are warning students they could face discipline if they participate in planned walkouts Friday to protest ICE.
Why it matters: The warnings could test the limits of school discipline policies against students' First Amendment rights — which one advocate says don't "end at the schoolhouse gate."
- "It really means that students have a constitutional right to participate in protest during the school day," said Nora Benavidez, senior counsel at Free Press and board member of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.
Driving the news: Friday, Jan. 30, has been dubbed by activists as National Shutdown day, and participants are urged to "join a nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping" and to oppose ICE funding.
- It comes nearly a week after federal agents shot and killed Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti, which led to widespread outrage and condemnation.
What they're saying: The Cobb County School District on Tuesday sent out a message claiming "external groups" were recruiting students to hold a rally on Friday.
- CCSD said any student who leaves or skips class or disrupts the school day could face out-of-school suspension and "the potential loss of parking privileges, sports and extracurricular privileges."
- "Each has long-lasting impacts that could be taken into account by college admission offices and future employers," the district said.
Zoom in: According to Decaturish, DeKalb County Schools Interim Superintendent Norman Sauce on Tuesday said in a letter that while the district appreciates students' concerns about current events, they are required to express their views without disrupting the school day.
- "Students are encouraged to work with their principal or school administration to identify appropriate, school-approved ways to share their perspectives," Sauce wrote.
- Any punishment handed down by the district will be considered in proportion to the severity of the behavior, the context in which it happened, a student's previous discipline history and other factors.
The other side: Benavidez told Axios the Cobb school district's message was "so much more retaliatory than would be necessary" to inform students that they risk a penalty for protesting.
- "The notion that long-term consequences might be imposed and students may suffer as such because of their own moral and expressive conduct seemed honestly shocking," she said.
- She said the tone in DeKalb's message was "less aggressive and punitive," but could create a power dynamic that makes students anxious about protesting.
- A district spokesperson said in a statement that principals are meeting with students to "outline safe, on-campus alternatives," including listening circles, forums and small group conversations.
The intrigue: This isn't the first time the Cobb County School District has been in the news for allegedly threatening to punish students for protesting.
- In October 2016, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said if student-athletes took a knee during the national anthem, "their asses would be benched," according to the AJC.
- Former NFL quarterback Colin Kapernick started taking a knee on Sept. 1, 2016, during national anthems to protest police shootings.
- John Floresta, CCSD's chief strategy & accountability officer, told Axios that students can make their voices heard without "skipping class and disrupting school."
- "We encourage parents to talk with their children about the choices, and the effects, which are right for them," he said.
What we're watching: How many students across metro Atlanta will walk out of class and how districts will respond to the demonstrations.