Statewide, Student Driven Walkout Against Racial Injustice Planned for Monday Afternoon

(KNSI) — A student walkout is set for this afternoon at schools across the state in solidarity against racial injustice.

In Sartell, students are asked to meet to have a conversation about race relations.

The event is student-driven and not sanctioned by the school, nor was it a school-sponsored event. As of this morning, no teachers were involved.

Sartell School District officials we spoke with said any student who wanted to participate would not be stopped because it falls under their First Amendment right to free speech, but anyone who left class would be given a tardy or unexcused absence.

Officials with District 742 emailed a statement to KNSI regarding the walkout. It reads:

“St. Cloud Area Schools administration is aware that some high school students plan to take part in protests related to racial violence on Monday afternoon. As always, the safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. After learning of the plans, school administrators reached out, talked with, and listened to event organizers and key stakeholders to ensure any protests remain on campus and are peaceful. In the event of a protest, school staff will supervise students. Any students leaving class will be marked truant. Participants will be permitted to return to class at the conclusion of the protest, provided they’ve remained on campus. If a protest occurs, classes and learning will continue. A protest is not a school or district-sponsored event.”

“As a school district, we balance the safety of our learning environments with allowing our students to exercise their First Amendment rights. We remain committed to respecting the rights of all students, including those who do not participate in the protest, and will work to ensure minimal disruption to the learning process.”

Officials with Sauk Rapids-Rice School District told KNSI there was nothing official planned, but they are prepared if some students want to participate.

___

KNSI reporter Jake Judd contributed to this story.

___