Chicago H.S. Students Face Expulsion Following Antiwar Sit-In (via Arthur Silber):

Berwyn, IL —- November 2, 2007. Over 70 students participated in a sit-in against the Iraq War on All Saint’s Day, Thursday, November 1st. It began third hour when dozens of students gathered quietly in the lunchroom at Morton West High School and refused to leave. The administrators and police became involved immediately and locked down the school for a half hour after class ended. Students report that they were promised that there would be no charges besides cutting classes if they took their protest outside so as not to disturb the school day. The students complied, and were led to a corner outside the cafeteria where they sang songs and held signs while classes resumed.

Despite a police line set up between the protestors and the student body, many other students joined the demonstration. Organizers say they chose November first because it is the Christian holy day called the feast of All Saints and a national day of peace. They wrote a letter and delivered it to Superintendent, Dr. Ben Nowakowski who was present at the time, stating the reason for their protest.

Deans, counselors and even the Superintendent tried to change the minds of a few, mainly those students with higher GPA scores to abandon the protest. The school called the homes of many of the protestors. Those whose parents arrived before the end of school and took their students home, or left before the protest ended at the final bell, received 3-5 days suspension. All others, an estimated 37 received 10 days suspension and expulsion papers. Parents report that Nowakowski stated those who are seventeen will also face police charges.

From the school superintendent’s official statement:

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.

The superintendent claims only twenty-five students were disciplined. According to the other story, thirty-seven are being expelled, some of those face criminal charges and some others were suspended for several days. In fact, the superintendent claims fewer than thirty-seven students participated in the protest. I don’t know which is true, but I don’t care to find out because any punishment at all is unreasonable and the superintendent’s justification is horseshit. I suppose you have to expect a school official to believe in the necessity of officially mandated and approved education, but in truth, few things in this world are less important to one’s future than a normal day in an American public school. Any student who was upset by some minor disruption in an otherwise dull gray typical school day is headed in the wrong direction in life and needs serious help. Well, of course the real problem is that these students failed to shut up and do what they’re told. Students, you have failed to be properly educated. You should be proud of yourselves.

Sign this petition in support of the students.