FITCHBURG — An estimated 100 students from Memorial Middle School participated in a recent walkout.
News about the Feb. 13 protest against ICE and their violent tactics spread through word of mouth and a 13-year-old seventh grader who attends the school and wishes to remain anonymous said they chanted “No more ICE!” when cars went by and some of them carried signs.
“I learned about the walkout through my friend and people talking in my class,” she said, adding that there was a student with a megaphone “shouting encouragement.”
Fitchburg Public Schools released a statement the day of the walkout addressing it.
“As a district, we support our students’ civic engagement and their right to express themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner. Fitchburg Public Schools does not take positions on political issues,” it read. “Our highest priority is, and will always be, the safety and well-being of our students and staff. School administrators implemented a safety plan, staff were notified, and we worked in coordination with the Fitchburg Police Department to ensure students were supervised and safe.”
The teenager went on to say the teachers did not try to deter them from leaving the building, which was the case at Leominster High School when there was a walkout there a week prior, but instead told the students as long as they were “peaceful and safe, we would be fine.”
“It felt great to have our voices heard even though we are just kids to some people,” she said.
That mentality that the middle school students are not old enough to be and should not be out protesting is rampant among people commenting on social media posts about the walkouts, with one person declaring “These aren’t genuine protests. They are manufactured using young people as political pawns” and another stating “This is actually pretty disgusting to get our children involved in this nonsense.”
One of the students who participated in the protest posted photos and a video from it in the Discussing Fitchburg Now Facebook group under a pseudonym.
“Today millions of people are getting ripped apart from families from schools churches anywhere and everywhere for being a shade off white or even having a last name,” they wrote.
A number of adults responded with negative comments, including one that read “Nothing like involving Kids in an adult fabricated problems. It’s Disgusting for teachers and parents for allowing this. We have enough problems without involving the youth,” with some calling for the termination of school staff and administration.
Conversely, many people praised the students for being aware of what’s happening with ICE and President Donald Trump and his administration — and exercising their first amendment rights to speak out about how they are feeling.
“Proud of these kids for standing up for democracy,” someone commented and another said, “The kids know what’s up, they have their right to free speech too.” One woman wrote “Students, we are with you all the way. The comments here do not reflect the bigger picture. You are on the right side of history!” and another “Great job kiddos. 1st amendment is for all citizens no matter what anyone says!!!”
The Memorial middle schooler’s mom who also wishes to remain anonymous said her daughter read all the comments on the student’s post and on a post in another group and is “pretty disgusted” by them.
“I think there are more of us than them, they are just rude and louder,” the mom said. “What pissed me off is the comments saying the kids are going nowhere in life. My kid is a straight A student, loved by her teachers, Junior Honor Society. My daughter and her friends that took part are good students who get good grades. So, the MAGA talking point about them wanting to just get out of school is just not true.”
She went on to say she is glad her daughter is growing up in Fitchburg, a melting pot of different cultures and nationalities.
“It’s so diverse compared to where I grew up,” she shared.
She also said her daughter “loves her friends, most of which don’t look like her.”
“Kids just see other kids, not a paper defining what American is.”
She touched on those on the right who are coming down on all the young people who are simply standing up for what they believe in.
“It’s ludicrous to think middle schoolers are not aware of current events,” the mom said. “Many of the Fitchburg students probably have family that is affected or could be affected. And lord knows if the frosty men come here in the same way they have Minnesota, everyone will be affected.”
Another Memorial Middle School student, a 14-year-old eighth grader, also anonymously shared their thoughts on participating in the walkout.
“I felt it was important for us because I believe protesting can start change. I feel it’s important for kids my age to be aware of what’s going on in our country and help spread that awareness to others,” the lifelong city resident said. “It’s significant because a lot of us will be able to vote in a few years, we should be knowledgeable now to prepare for that. It was exciting and comforting knowing that a lot of my fellow students felt the same as me.”
Original article
Comments