Baltimore County Students Stage High School Walkout to Protest ICE Policies
Mariana “Mar” Pastor, a senior at Sparrows Point High School, was deeply affected upon witnessing a video online of federal agents fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good. This incident prompted her to collaborate with fellow senior Carmen Butrim, to organize a school walkout against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies. The event aims to raise awareness about civil rights violations and encourage student activism.
Baltimore County High School Walkout Details
Pastor and Butrim created an Instagram account to mobilize students across Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), which led to significant engagement. Several high schools, including:
- Dundalk
- Eastern Tech
- George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology
- Kenwood
- Lansdowne
- Loch Raven
- Overlea
- Parkville
- Patapsco
- Perry Hall
- Pikesville
These schools have committed to walk out on February 6 at 11:30 a.m. Additionally, Baltimore City College students are planning a separate walkout on February 5.
Students’ Rights and the Importance of Activism
The movement encourages students to recognize their right to express their opinions. Butrim emphasized the importance of understanding one’s voice. “You don’t have to be grown to know right from wrong,” she stated. Student protests have been growing nationally, with notable recent walkouts in places like Montgomery County and California.
Oboyinde Onijala, spokesperson for BCPS, affirmed that students are allowed to organize and assemble peacefully, provided they adhere to school guidelines on safety and conduct. “Students have the right to organize and assemble peacefully,” she said.
Addressing Discrimination and Promoting Solidarity
Pastor, who is also the president of the Student Racial Justice Alliance, has faced discrimination at her school. She noted that many students, influenced by negative attitudes, may not support her activism. However, she remains steadfast. “I won’t let it silence me,” Pastor asserted.
Fellow student Suwilanji Siame, from Perry Hall High School, shares the personal impact of ICE policies due to her family’s immigrant background. “This really hits home for me,” she expressed, emphasizing the diversity and shared experiences within her school.
Next Steps for Participation
Students interested in joining the walkout can connect with Pastor and Butrim through their Instagram page, @bcpssocialjustice. Participants are encouraged to create school-appropriate posters and gather on the football field following the walkout. Both organizers stress the importance of understanding the cause behind the protest and remaining within school grounds.
The BCPS student handbook outlines students’ rights to free speech and assembly, but also conditions them according to school authority guidelines. Onijala noted that typically, students would not face suspension for participating in a walkout unless they engaged in behavior that violated school policies afterward.
As the day of the protest approaches, both Pastor and Butrim hope to inspire a sense of responsibility and awareness among their peers about civil rights and social justice issues.
