Students from multiple Harford County public schools have organized walkouts for Friday to show their opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement practices. If walkouts proceed as planned, it will not be the first time Harford County students have organized demonstrations about national issues.

In 2018, students organized walkouts to prevent gun violence in schools and honor the lives of 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. They also planned demonstrations around the 19th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

This year, students have created social media pages for walkouts at high schools such as Bel Air, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace and Joppatowne, planned for mid-Friday morning.

When asked, Harford County Public Schools never specifically stated if officials were aware walkouts were being organized for later this week, but in a statement to the Aegis, said “students are always expected to follow attendance, sign-out and behavior expectations and comply with school rules throughout the school day.”

The district didn’t indicate whether students would be disciplined if they participated, however, students have been deterred from participating in walkouts in the past.

Former Harford Schools Superintendent Barbara Canavan in 2018 issued a letter to students around the 2018 protests, explaining how the school system does not “condone” students leaving classrooms during the school day. Canavan at the time said students who chose to participate in the walkout would be subject to disciplinary action. It is unclear whether students who participated in the walkouts were punished, as the school system would not comment on disciplinary actions taken against students.

According to Harford’s Board of Education policy under student expression, the school system acknowledges that students have the freedom to express opinions and take stands on topics, both publicly and privately. The policy adds, the school system will not “unlawfully” interfere with students’ right of expression; however, when necessary they may “abridge the free rights of students using methods designated only to adjust these rights to the needs of the school community.”

“It is the student’s responsibility to see that his/her freedom of expression does not hinder the education or the rights of others, but should contribute to an atmosphere where all members of the educational community can share opinions and beliefs,” the policy states.

Under board policy regarding student speech, students have the right to express opinions, both verbally and symbolically, as long as it is done in a peaceful and orderly manner and at the “appropriate time and place.”

Nationwide protests and demonstrations in opposition of ICE increased after federal agents fatally shot two people in Minneapolis last month. Locally some residents protested in response to cramped conditions in a Baltimore ICE holding facility. And in Howard County a permit to construct a private immigration detention facility was revoked this week, and hundreds of residents rallied against the proposed center.

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