3 Students Arrested During 1,500-Person Walkout In Aurora: Police

AURORA, IL — Three East Aurora High School students — one of whom punched a police officer — were arrested during a 1,500-person walkout to oppose recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, according to police.

Officers were deployed shortly before noon Monday to work with educators to “encourage students to remain in class or return to campus,” police said in a prepared statement, but the massive crowd of students from several area schools continued with the walkout, traveling to downtown Aurora.

Portions of the crowd disregarded officers, entering traffic lanes and blocking vehicles, according to law enforcement, who said fights broke out, people threw water bottles at police vehicles and there was reckless driving.

“In response to these escalating conditions, APD coordinated additional resources and implemented a plan to restore safe movement in the area while continuing efforts to gain voluntary compliance,” the statement said.

Officers later made contact with two boys from East Aurora High School, “whose actions were contributing to unsafe conditions,” according to the statement. They tried to detain and identify the boys, who resisted and were taken into custody, police said.

“During the encounter, a third student intervened and punched an officer in the head, causing a laceration,” the statement said.

The officer was taken to a local hospital and the three boys were charged with improper walking in the roadway, obstructing and resisting a peace officer, according to law enforcement, who said one of the boys was also charged with aggravated battery to an officer.

“Following the enforcement action, the remaining students gradually dispersed and normal traffic conditions were restored,” the statement said.

“While we recognize and support every individual’s right to protest, the Aurora Police Department reminds those exercising these rights that they must still comply with the laws in place to keep everyone safe and to allow for peaceful, meaningful dialogue.”

East Aurora School District 131 said in a social media post Monday evening that it “does not condone walkouts during the instructional day” and added students who leave campus receive an unexcused absence and may be disciplined.

“We value student voice and encourage respectful, appropriate ways for students to express themselves while remaining engaged in learning,” the social media post said.