40 students leave class for sit-in protest
Approximately 40 students left seventh period 30 minutes early to participate in a sit-in at West High.
Today West students planned to sit in silence at 3:30 to protest against recent hate crimes.
The West Side Story asked principal Dr. Shoultz how he felt about the incident, but unfortunately, he had no prior knowledge the event was taking place before today.
“I don’t approve of people using school time to protest, I appreciate your passion but you can show your passion at four o’clock,” he said.
The big concern to him as an administrator is that the school isn’t looked at negatively and students aren’t making the most productive use of their time.
“Everything that happens in the school reflects back to me eventually, but I think this is more effecting our time than anything else, had the election hadn’t happen, I think things would work differently.”
The ICCSD equity director is available for West students to help with reported racist incidents.
“I plan to go up and [witness it], I found out their issue so the equity director [and I] are going to talk to them,” he said.
Lujayn Hamad ’18 helps lead the silent protest because she faced harassment shortly after the election of President Donald Trump.
In light of the recent outbursts, Shoultz is undecided as to if the issue has always been dormant at West, or if the election is the root of the cause.
“Donald Trump is probably not going to resign, so I don’t know if that’s the catalyst or if that is the issue here today,” he said.
Jade Merriwether ’17 organizes protests not to riot against the election, but rather using the election as support to finally let her and other students’ voices be heard.
“This is not to encourage students to skip class, if it was then we wouldn’t have the turn out that we did, this is more than skipping class, this is showing your support [and] your rights to protest and prove your right in the community,” she said.
Merriwether has arranged meetings with Shoultz quite often this week, despite always holding these feelings.
“I think people are just paying attention now,” she said.
Casey McClenathan ’17, a white female, was asked why she is participating in the sit in. She explains that she isn’t doing this for herself, but rather her friends.
“Even though [the hate crimes] haven’t affected me as much, I think that all people are important … regardless as to what race I am,” she said.
Alyson Kuennen
A student watches the sit-in protest after school on Nov. 15 in the flooded hallways.
Down the hall a group of white males gather around the cafeteria windows to peek and discuss the sit-in happening outside.
“I don’t understand the point they’re trying to get across, what is the duct tape?” said Nick Fairfield ’20.
“What are 40 west high students going to do?” said Alex Kleinow, ’17.
“Exactly, the election is over – what are they going to do?” Fairfield said, “Trump is the presidential elect and if anything they’re making fools of themselves because I can’t understand what’s going on and their whole point is to make Trump supporters understand what’s going on.”
Once the group of boys showed up to the sit in, teachers closed the doors of the room they occupied.
“Why did they close the doors? asks Nelson Brands ’18, “they’re just separating us even more.”
In light of all the different opinions, the silent protest was not stopped.
“I feel that they are using their rights as residents and citizens and they are making their voice heard,” said Maria Martin, West High’s dean.
For more photos from the sit-in, click here to view a gallery on Flickr.
Your donation will support the student journalists of West High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase Scholarship Yearbooks, newsroom equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.
Taylor Shelfo is a senior at West (class of 2017) and this is her first year on staff.
This is Alyson's second year on staff where she is a news editor and photographer. As a senior she spends her time working, working and...
Najwa Omer • Nov 17, 2016 at 4:23 pm
The students can solve this issue by themselves,not by protesting and running around down town yelling screaming. Not by taping their mouth,or leaving their classroom.No one have the solution in hand, because it is responsibility for all the students. For a long times girls whom were covering their heads,some of them were disrespectful to other girls whom from same country, and they were bullying them, these things it had been for too long, one time I heard one parent talk to other girl why she is not covering her head, she told her she will go to hell, the girl cried so badly, so I came I talked to the lady she should n’t say that, I told her it was her parent choice, basically the girl was been harassed by someone from same country,still on and on..This is USA, and they have to be aware of a lot of people are not the same.So, students must respect their classmates,watch their behavior, and be very sensitive to others. I believe instead of going to the Council meeting, they have to do research on how to improve their behavior,how to have full respect, and not to bully other students.Am sure there are some students not knowing enough what is bully? Examples for bully?and how it affect other students,,parents,,school,teachers,and your local community.West High is where is the EXCELLENT is the tradition. West High students is very smart and for too long..The students need to STOP being frustrated,get your school work done,get active,put more hours in STUDYING, be STRONG, if you have time to think, organize protesting it means it is a great time to have a part time job.
People from other country wish to trade your spot in USA, to EDUCATE,JOB,ENJOYING THE FREEDOM YOU HAVE, AND YOU ALL RUNNING AROUND. LOVE YOUR FRIENDS<AND HELP YOUR PARENTS AT HOME.GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Tommy • Nov 17, 2016 at 9:42 am
Why do you only point the white male group in this article?
RaQuishia Harrington • Nov 16, 2016 at 8:41 am
I am so proud of these students for taking a stand on an issue that adults are to coward to take a stand against. Sadly for people of color we have been marginalized and discriminated against well before this election. These issues lay dormant and not formally addressed at our top ranked Iowa schools. It’s easy for folks to turn a cheek. If they would take the time to listen to these students they would understand how they really feel about the lack of support they receive from staff and administration. Especially the principles. How do you expect students to thrive. As a community leaders I support their decision and I back them up 100%. This isn’t about Trump, it’s about the cowards who think it’s OK to mistreat and discriminate against people of color. Who tell students they aren’t welcome in America and who make these students and their family members feel safe in this community. To the students continue to take a stand until your voices are clearly heard and until action is taking place.