"Build the Wall" Banner Sparks School Walk-Outs

On Wednesday, a sign was hung up in the hallway of Forest Grove High School reading: "build a wall."

It was placed over a banner that had been hung for what the school called "Unity Week."

It was quickly taken down.

The kids who had hung it up were disciplined.

But the damage had been done and students at the school, which is nearly 50 percent Latino - the district has the highest percentage of Latino students of any district in Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties - organized a walkout.

And on Thursday, they did.

Hundreds of students streamed out of school Thursday morning and walked to the district office.

There they were joined by students from at least half a dozen other high schools who wanted the world to know that, in their opinion, the message of building a wall is not acceptable.

"While having a walkout during class time may bring attention to the issue, we assure you that the issue already had our full attention," the district said in a statement. "We share students' concerns with any incidents involving racism and discrimination. These actions cause hurt, anger and divisiveness and disrupt the learning environment.

"We welcome students, staff and community in uniting to oppose racism, disrespect and insensitivity."