I want to stress that this action has only to do with the students' disruption of the educational process. Not only do students have a right to express themselves on matters of conscience but we encourage them to do so. In this instance, it is critical to note that the Morton administration did not say that the students could not protest. Rather, we asked that the students simply move their protest to an area of the school that would not disrupt the ability of the other 3400+ students at Morton West to proceed with their normal school day
We appropriately balanced the free speech rights of the students who sought to protest with the rights of the other Morton West students to learn. Our administration and staff acted appropriately and decisively to protect students' abilities to exercise their rights without trampling on the rights of other students to do the same.
The parents did try to reason with the school district leadership, as the parent reported, "Me and wife started all this when the superintendent of the school decided to be a hardass and not budge.
When he wouldn't listen to us and walked out of the office, we walked out of the school and said, if this is the way he wants to play, let's make some noise.
The press is coming out of the woodwork today. The PTO is helping us. They're already on it, siding with the kids."
I asked the father if he was concerned, that if he spoke up, his son would be targeted and punished. He replied, "What are they going to do with him. If they expel him, I'll put him in trade school."
Asked what he felt about the war, the father replied,
"Me, I hate the war. I believe it's a bunch of bullshit and a waste of our tax dollars and a waste of a lot of lives.
All these kids are getting right up to the draft age and the news is talking about draft and the military is running out of bodies. Three or more times a week the recruiters are at the school trying to get the kids to enlist in the service.
My kids saw this and decided to do something about it. I consider my son's friends my kids too.
I am proud of my son and that's why I'm doing this. I'm glad my son has a voice.
OpEdNews found out about the protest from Cindy Sheehan, who, when asked her opinion of the protest and the school's response, replied, "I think the students are courageous role models and their behavior should be rewarded and encouraged not punished. the students are representing the views of 70 percent of americans and what happened to them is just another fascistic attempt to suppress dissidents."
The parents and students have scheduled a press conference at the school for Tuesday morning, Nov. 7.
While OpEdNews knows the identity of the parent and the student we interviewed, we've decided to keep them confidential to protect them from possible unfair treatment by the school system.
OpEdNews contacted the US rep for the district, Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), but had not heard from him at the time of the posting of the article. It will be interesting to see if any of the school board members are up for election come Tuesday.
Sign the "In Defense of the Morton West Antiwar Students petition"
