By: Farah M., Juniper S., and Mabel F.

Here at Audubon Charter School, different people have different voices, and all voices are heard, but some are heard in different ways. 

In particular, a silent protest demonstrated by some 6th and 8th grade students. They chose to protest about what has happened and what is happening with the recent events that have occurred with I.C.E., or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in the United States. 

An email from CEO Steve Corbett was sent out to the Audubon community about the matter, stating that “schools must remain neutral and consistent.” He went on to add that teachers and students were not permitted to participate or promote any protest-related activities on school grounds. 

Principal Marina Schoen said, “We can’t teach a school about religion, just like we can’t teach a school about political beliefs because this is a public school.” 

This perspective was shared by the main administrators at Audubon Charter to express that taking a stand is completely your choice, but student safety at school is the most important part. 

Despite teachers passing by, the student protestors were persistent and sat on the stairwell for about 30-45 minutes. 

Students at the protest were told by administration that making a silent protest on school grounds would not be voiced to I.C.E., it would just cut in the time of the learning here at Audubon Charter School.

For the students who participated in the protest, there weren’t any disciplinary consequences, but they did get a choice to either go home or go back to class. 

“The point of a protest is to make a difference and to be heard,” the administration said.