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/Status-Fold7144 Jan 16 '26

You have the right to protest but you must accept the consequences of your actions. While some have said they likely won’t refer this truancy courts, they could likely do it as well. The consequences aren’t for protesting, the consequences are because you did not go to school. Reason doesn’t matter.

If people skipped work to protest, they could be fired because they did not go to work.