AUSTIN, Texas – Over the past week, grade school students across the state have walked out of class in demonstrations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics and killings. On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott called for defunding public school districts and teacher investigations for allowing students to protest.
The following quote should be attributed to Adriana Piñon (she/her), legal director at the ACLU of Texas:
“Government officials cannot punish students simply because they dislike their message. Students do not lose their free speech rights when they enter their schools, and while the law may permit discipline in some cases, it certainly does not require it. Our state has a long and distinguished history of student-led protests and social movements. What the state is threatening, including school takeovers, goes beyond routine punishment. The state is threatening drastic and severe consequences for peaceful speech that could amount to retaliation, which is unconstitutional.
“Instead of targeting young Texans, we urge state leadership to focus on the message that students are sending: ICE’s actions are unacceptable, and immigrants belong in Texas.”
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