‘They are not stoppin’ us’ … Some Defiant BHS Students Are Still Planning a Massive Protest Despite Discipline Warnings from BHS Principal

Report by Paula Antolini
March 13, 2018 6:20PM EDT

 

 OPINION

‘They are not stoppin’ us’ … Some Defiant BHS Students Are Still Planning a Massive Protest Despite Discipline Warnings from BHS Principal

“They are not stoppin’ us” reads a second Snapchat message circulating between students, recently uncovered.

Apparently the letter from BHS Principal Christopher Troetti, issued early this afternoon to students, parents and guardians, is not deterring some students who still plan to protest gun violence no matter what discipline warnings are issued from the BPS/BHS administration.  Here is an exclusive report from Bethel Advocate.

View a second Snapchat message recently uncovered (below), that is circulating to students, supposedly from organizers, and students sharing it, about the planned unsanctioned protest:

 

 

As you can see, they specifically state that their goal is  “to raise awareness for gun control and fight against gun violence today.”  “Guns are much more lethal than peaceful protests.”

Previously in Principal Troetti’s first letter, he indicated that the “student-led” event, to take place at the high school track and field tomorrow (or indoors if inclement weather dictates) was “not political.”  But, according to the first student Snapchat message uncovered earlier today, students are asking other students to participate in a second unsanctioned protest on the BPS campus, and to make protest signs, and even make a second sign to give to another student. No indication what these signs will read but it could perhaps match their stated goal of gun control and gun violence issues as stated in the Snapchat messages, or perhaps other messages, we shall wait and see.

According to the second Snapchat message (as shown above) the students feel it is their “Constitutional right to protest,” but now the question is, do school rules (as in the 2017-2018 parent/student handbook) including Board of Education rules, override students leaving the school building to participate in protest demonstrations, and not be subject to school discipline?  Principal Troetti’s second letter released today seemed to indicate yes, school rules apply.

Tomorrow’s planned student demonstration originated from the “#Enough National School Walkout” which is by the “Women’s March Youth EMPOWER” … “calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods,” the website reads.   They urge participation in a walkout demonstration to demand action against gun violence.

Click here to view a few more dates other demonstrations are planned from various groups.

“Remember there is strength in numbers,” the second student Snapchat message reads (shown in image above), urging students to participate in the event AFTER the BHS-sanctioned event,  but so far we have no idea how many students plan on participating in the defiant demonstration, after what was supposed to be the school-sanctioned “civics lesson”  and memorial for 17 Florida school shooting victims.

Students who are not wishing to participate in the protest will remain in the media center at a learning lab, according to Troetti’s first letter issued.

Please note, Troetti’s first letter mentioned “We have met with students…” and “Student leaders will also educate their peers on mechanisms to communicate their opinions…” but it is never indicated which students were spoken to, or by whom, how many students were spoken to and when, how the students were chosen, or what was said, or if the students were representing a local protest group or multiple larger national groups, with a gun control agenda.  Does this really represent ALL students, as Troetti’s letter seems to indicate?  Or just a few?

Also, which students are making a “presentation” to “educate their peers” (the students) at the school-sanctioned event, and are the students’ words approved ahead of time, and by whom? or not at all?  And what are the topics?

Should parents know what is being said ahead of time?  Otherwise how are parents to give permission for participation, or students to decide if they want to participate, without any information as to the agenda?

Plenty of questions on this one.  Feel free to join the chat on our Facebook page, click here.

 

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