Hinsdale D86 Students May Walk Out In Likely Anti-ICE Protest

HINSDALE, IL – Students in Hinsdale High School District 86 may walk out during class Wednesday, with officials warning that their absences would be marked as unexcused, the district said in a statement Monday.

The district said it was aware of student conversations about a walkout, but did not say whether the talk was at Central, South or both.

The district also did not reveal the nature of the protest, but students across the suburbs have been demonstrating against ICE's federal deportation efforts in recent days. Students at Elmhurst's York High School did so Friday.

In its statement, District 86 said it does not support students leaving the building for any unauthorized purpose, including participation in a walkout.

"Students cannot be given permission to leave class as part of a protest," the district said. "Leaving class disrupts instruction and can create safety concerns, especially when large numbers of students are outside or moving through the building at once."

The district said it would supervise students who leave class and take steps to maintain safety inside and outside the building. Once they leave campus, the district cannot ensure their safety and will not follow them off-campus, according to the statement.

The district further warned that students may face trespassing restrictions if they gather on private property, with police responding as needed.