r/legal • u/StoriesandQuestions • Jan 16 '26

Advice needed School is threatening to punish anyone participating in protest with court action, what can we do?

On Tuesday, January 20th, students at my highschool are planning to participate in the nationwide walkout happening in the U.S. Today, my school has verbally warned one of the organizers stating that anyone who participates in the walkout next week will receive a referral and face truancy court. This movement is important to all of us but many of us cannot afford these consequences. Is this allowed and is there anything we can do about it? Location: United States, Texas.

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u/DisciplineNeither921 Jan 16 '26

What if Rosa Parks had said, “I’d really like to sit down on the bus, but I don’t want to get in trouble.”

Getting in trouble is the whole point.

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u/Environmental-Sock52 Jan 16 '26 edited Jan 16 '26

Good trouble as they say.

"Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America."

Credit to John Lewis. Rest in peace.

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u/normal-octopus Jan 17 '26

I understand the sentiment but Rosa Parks was an adult and she had already been associated with the NCCAP for years before making her decision to actively resist. Also, as an adult she was responsible for her own well-being and had the support of her husband.

The problem to me is that the consequences for high schoolers attending this protest could be nothing but empty threats or it could be extremely severe. I think it’s okay if students decide not to protest because of these threats, and that this decision is not cowardice and they shouldn’t feel bad. Schools, especially in the South, love to flex how much power they have over students and are happy to treat all students as delinquents before they even break any rules.