Schools: No Teachers Encouraged Montgomery Blair Student Walkout

SILVER SPRING, MD — No teachers encouraged Monday's walk-out and protest by an estimated 500 Montgomery Blair High School students, say school system officials, who had encouraged students to remain on school grounds rather than taking to the streets.

"Students at several MCPS high schools engaged in a public demonstration in response to last week’s elections. Participation in this activity was strictly voluntary and was not encouraged by school staff. MCPS Regulation JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities, states that students have a right to assemble for discussions of issues of importance to them and to demonstrate peacefully," said part of the statement from Montgomery County Public Schools. (See the full statement below.)

That request was ignored, by teens who walked first to Westfield Wheaton Mall, 11160 Veirs Mill Road, where students rallied and chanted against President-elect Donald Trump's positions and racial unrest. Video from the scene shared on the Periscope app showed teens chanting, "No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here." Other chants were "Black lives matter" and "My body, my choice."

From there, the student protest march went to Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring before it dispersed.

Tens of thousands of Americans disappointed with the results of the 2016 presidential election have protested in the past week in cities around the nation, including New York, Detroit, Boston and Miami.

Police escorted the students on city streets and said on Twitter that officers urged the teens to stay on sidewalks, remain peaceful, obey laws, and respect property. Drivers were asked to use caution in the area.
"The group has been nonviolent with exception of bottle being thrown from top deck of mall parking lot. No reported injuries," police said.

The full statement Monday from Montgomery County Public Schools:

"Today, students at several MCPS high schools engaged in a public demonstration in response to last week’s elections. Participation in this activity was strictly voluntary and was not encouraged by school staff. MCPS Regulation JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities, states that students have a right to assemble for discussions of issues of importance to them and to demonstrate peacefully.

Students who choose to exercise these rights during school hours are strongly encouraged to remain on school property when engaging in these activities so that we can ensure their safety and security.

Students who were absent from classes as part of today’s demonstration will be marked as unexcused; parents may send in a note to reverse the unexcused absence.

Staff have been reminded to respect student’s freedom of speech and expression and should make sure to avoid any imposition of their own personal political views on students as outlined in Board policies KEA, Political Campaigns and Political Materials, and JFA-RA, Student Rights and Responsibilities, section G Freedom of Assembly.

MCPS is, and remains, a safe and welcoming place to have conversations about topics that concern students. MCPS has provided resources to our educators to assist them in discussing issues raised by and processing reactions to the discourse that has surrounded this year’s election season. We will continue to draw on the expertise of the Equity Initiatives Unit to help forge stronger understanding of the many perspectives in our community, state and nation."