Lee County students face suspension after ICE protest walkout

LEE COUNTY, Fla.—Parents are voicing concerns after students faced disciplinary actions following a nationwide walkout protesting ICE enforcement. 

The protests took place nationwide, including right here in Southwest Florida, and some participants faced potential suspension or expulsion.

Therese Dessoye, a parent of a junior at Ida Baker High School, expressed her concerns over the disciplinary measures.

"I am proud that he was protesting something he believed in," said Dessoye.

However, some individuals have differing opinions on the student walkouts.

"Well, I don't like to see it. I really don't. The schools are for reading, writing, and arithmetic," said Scott Hartman.

Dessoye shared an email from the school district stating, "While we respect students' constitutional rights to free expression, our schools exist for one primary purpose – education."

"I feel like they presented a very much, hey, we support the students, but we got to focus on learning, and now they're doing these extreme punishments, and they're not being transparent with this," said Dessoye.

According to Dessoye, some students at the high school have been suspended pending a hearing.

"If you have hundreds of kids who are protesting, how are you going to fit this into a timely schedule to get these kids, you know, any sort of appropriate punishment or back into the classroom?" said Dessoye.

A spokesperson from the School District of Lee County clarified that the discipline is for disruption, not for exercising First Amendment rights.

The spokesperson, Rob Spicker, also noted that about 3,600 students participated in the walkouts across 14 schools, meaning 96% of students stayed in class, and more than 80% of schools were not affected.

Spicker emphasized that they will continue to discipline students who disrupt the learning environment. The district is currently reviewing the situation, which will take time.