New Braunfels High School students are planning a melt_ice_nbwalkout Friday afternoon.
They have permission from school administration to protest the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) according to Instagram posts.
“This is supposed to be peaceful so please do not wear anything that is not school appropriate,” organizers advised. “Instead, wear blue.”
The post also denounced President Donald Trump and “fascist USA.”
Canyon High School students posting as melt.ice.canyon also shared plans for a “peaceful protest of ICE and their inhumane tactics.”
An Instagram by sastudentsforpeace said students from 10 area high schools are participating in this week’s walkouts.
However, Comal ISD warned parents in an email today while the district values student voice and encourages respectful dialogue, it has a responsibility to ensure student safety and minimize disruptions to the instructional day.
Students could face disciplinary action for protesting. Administrators will monitor the situation throughout the day to maintain order.
“Students are encouraged to share their perspectives through appropriate channels such as classroom instruction, student organizations and other school-based opportunities,” according to the email, which was signed by school principals.
Indivisible NBTX, a grassroots group focused on promoting progressive values and civic engagement, hosts ICE Out for Good New Braunfels rally from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 31 at 301 Main Plaza square in downtown New Braunfels.
Faith UCC-New Braunfels Pastor Carla Cheatham was one of dozens of Comal residents who showed up to protest at the Dilley Detention Center near San Antonio, where children and families — including five-year-old Liam Ramos from Minnesota — are detained.
“…a tremendous number of people from all over the state showed up to add our voices to those of the immigrants and to let them know that they are not alone,” she posted on Facebook. “And we accomplished that.”
“From everything I saw, protestors were doing nothing wrong except making their voices heard,” she said, adding her group left before Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers showed up and at least one canister of tear gas was deployed.
Cheatham said one of the “young people” detained during the protest is a friend.
“He is in good spirits and physically safe and the Frio County Sheriff’s officers were being incredibly nice and kind to him and his mother.”