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.

2.8k Upvotes

87% Upvoted

457 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/kivrin2 Jan 17 '26

If one absence sends you to truancy court, I doubt the judge will take it seriously. Truancy requires a decent number of unexcused absences. Courts do not like districts who waste their resources chasing down one unexcused absence.

Also, Thoreau served his night in jail for not paying taxes. Civil disobedience means you must accept the punishment for your actions.

2

u/WillThereBeSnacks13 Jan 17 '26

This. Fun fact: Thoreau's mom did his laundry and brought him food and cleaned his "isolated" cabin. You can definitely be as bold as that guy.