Thousands of students are expected to walk out of their schools Friday to protest gun violence on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine massacre.

The demonstrations represent a second round of walkouts sparked by the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida. Thousands walked out of their classrooms for 17 minutes last month to honor the Parkland victims and demand lawmakers take action to stop mass shootings.

Public school students do not lose their right to free speech when they enter the school building. Students can distribute flyers and petitions or wear expressive clothing. They can even speak out about controversial topics or protest the school’s own policies and actions.

But there are limitations. Below are answers to common questions about how public schools can respond to demonstrations.

Print this information

What are my rights to protest in school?

Generally, you have the right to speak out so long as you do not substantially and materially disrupt school operations. However, a school can punish you for disrupting class by speaking out of turn or for leaving without permission, even if you did so to make a political statement.

The school can also require you to follow “content-neutral policies,” which do not focus on the message you express. These include dress codes, restrictions on leaving school without permission, or rules against posting on walls. A school can prohibit you from wearing hats, but it cannot only prohibit you from wearing a pro-NRA or pink pussycat hat, for example.

Can students who participate in a walkout be punished for leaving class?

If your school normally does not allow you to leave the building without permission, then you do not have any special right to do so to engage in a political demonstration. But, just because the school is authorized to punish you does not mean they must do so. It is worth asking for leniency. 

 

Counselors Not Cops student walkouts April 20, 2018

 

Can students be punished more severely for participating in a walkout than leaving for other reasons?

This may be unlawful. Imposing harsher punishment on students who skip school to engage in political activities than on those who cut school for any other reason violates the First Amendment. If you believe this happened to you, please let us know so we can gather more information.

If I leave school for a walkout, can I be picked up by truancy officers or stopped by law enforcement?

If you are not physically present in school during school hours, you may be stopped by truancy officers. We encourage you to participate in a permitted protest event to minimize your risk. However, even attending a permitted event during school hours may not shield you from truancy enforcement.

Can students with prior disciplinary history be punished more severely than others for participating in a walkout?

Your school may increase the severity of your punishment if you have already committed a previous offense. This is why the NYCLU urges schools to carefully consider the consequences of disciplining students for participating in protests: some students will be more impacted than others. Review your school’s Code of Conduct for specific guidance. 

 

student protest

 

Can schools prevent students from leaving the building to participate a walkout?

We encourage schools to support students’ rights to protest, but schools may take reasonable steps to prevent rule violations including walkouts. . Most schools have rules against leaving class or the building without permission. Some schools may allow students to gather inside the school to protest but may still punish students who leave school. Some may not punish students who leave with their parents’ permission, while punishing students who leave without it.

Just because a school may take reasonable steps to prevent rule violations does not mean that a school’s decision is a wise one. You have the right to criticize the school, including by talking to media, using your own time and resources when you are not at school.

Can schools block exits or schedule drills to prevent students from participating in a walkout?

No – and­ Governor Cuomo has specifically asked the Commissioner of Education to investigate reports of blocked exits and other potential safety violations. Report any instances to the New York State Education Department and the Commissioner of Education at (518) 474-3852. 

Can schools prevent students from carrying signs during walkouts? 

Generally, students should be allowed to have signs, so long as they aren’t too big or otherwise displayed in a way that disrupts school operations or violates content-neutral rules. If you are prohibited from displaying a sign, let us know so we can gather more information.

What can I do if my school suspends me?

You may be able to appeal the suspension. See our “Know Your Rights When Facing a Suspension” guide in English or Spanish. You may have to first appeal your suspension to the school board, so check your school’s Code of Conduct. You can then appeal your suspension to the Commissioner of Education, but you only have 30 days to initiate an appeal. The rules can be complicated and you may want to consult a lawyer.

We want to hear from you! We'd like to know how your school is responding to student walkouts in New York:

Share your story