Students across multiple school districts in Central Texas staged walkouts on March 25, 2024, to protest activities conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrations took place in several districts, including Hays CISD, Manor ISD, Lockhart ISD, and Pflugerville ISD, triggering investigations by state officials, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott.
The protests involved hundreds of students who left their classrooms in direct response to ICE’s presence in their communities. Reports indicate that students from five campuses within Hays CISD, including Hays High School and Lehman High School, were among the most active participants. In addition, students from Manor ISD and Lockhart ISD joined the walkouts, highlighting widespread discontent regarding immigration enforcement practices.
The walkouts were not sanctioned by school authorities, who stated that students would be marked absent for their participation. Officials warned that further disciplinary actions could follow for violating campus rules. This decision came amidst a directive from Governor Abbott, who ordered an investigation into the events, asserting that public school resources should focus on education rather than facilitating protests.
In a letter to parents, Principal Michael Herbin of Lockhart High School detailed how students left campus around 1:10 p.m. and marched along Highway 183 toward downtown Lockhart. Law enforcement, including the Lockhart Police Department and Caldwell County Constables, monitored the situation to ensure safety.
Pflugerville ISD officials reported that many students congregated near the Pflugerville Justice Center following their walkouts, advising parents to arrange transportation for their children. This proactive communication aimed to mitigate potential chaos as students returned to their homes.
Hays CISD, in its response to the protests, expressed hope that the situation might serve as a learning opportunity. The district emphasized the importance of understanding rights and responsibilities among students, regardless of their views on the protest issues.
While the student-led protests garnered significant attention, they coincided with other incidents in the Austin area. Early that same morning, Austin police were involved in a standoff with a barricaded suspect following a domestic disturbance. Additionally, traffic accidents resulted in fatalities, including that of a cyclist struck by a vehicle on State Highway 71.
These events underscore the broader community safety concerns in Central Texas, as residents grapple with various challenges, including immigration issues and rising traffic-related fatalities.
As investigations by state officials continue, the protests have sparked conversations about the role of schools in activism and the rights of students to express their opinions on contentious issues.
