rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/letter/fight-to-protect-students-and-teachers-rights?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-letter-area-fight-to-protect-students-and-teachers-rights' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> National Campaign for Justice https://actionnetwork.org/groups/just-strategy https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Students across Texas are organizing walkouts to protest ICE deportation tactics that are impacting their classmates, families, and communities. From Austin to Dallas to San Antonio, young people are engaging in peaceful civic action. Instead of protecting their rights, state leaders are threatening punishment. Governor Greg Abbott has suggested students could be arrested. The Texas Education Agency has warned districts they could face state takeovers. The Attorney General has opened investigations into school districts accused of “allowing” protests. This is a dangerous escalation. Public schools are meant to prepare students for democratic participation, not punish them for it. Students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate. Civil rights organizations have made clear that government officials cannot retaliate against students simply because they disagree with their message. Peaceful walkouts are part of a long American tradition of dissent. NC4J has successfully organized to defend students and block censorship in school districts across the country, including in red states where politicians tried to silence young voices. We know that when we apply sustained pressure, we can win. It’s time we did it again. Click “START WRITING” to demand that the Texas Education Agency protect students’ and teachers’ right to protest and defend free speech now. https://actionnetwork.org/letters/fight-to-protect-students-and-teachers-rights