The Seattle Times: Local News: Group organizes walkout by students to protest war

I have been seeing signs for this walk out around Seattle for a couple weeks. I don't know what it's about or what it's for other than it's against President Bush and the War in Iraq. Fine. Here is my problem with the thing:

But protest organizer Carrie Hathorn said that for students, most of whom are too young to vote, walking out of class is one of the few ways to express their political views.

"We let them know that this is an act of civil disobedience, and then let them decide," she said. "There could be punishments or repercussions. It's in the hands of the students."

Sounds reasonable right, pay you money and take your chances. Oh but that would be wrong:

While the protest is not sanctioned, some officials are supportive. Seattle School Board member Sally Soriano said some teachers are organizing homework for students who attend, in order to minimize educational disruption.

Soriano said she may attend the rally and is personally supportive of its message and its educational benefits, if it gets students talking about Iraq and world events.

Roosevelt High School Principal Chuck Chinn said he hasn't seen any students with protest fliers on campus but would not allow distribution of the fliers if he were to come across them.

His understanding of district policy, he added, is that it's OK for students to be absent Wednesday afternoon so long as they provide a parental note.

Lake Washington High School Principal Mark Robertson said he expects about 20 students who belong to the Kirkland school's peace club to leave early for the rally.

He said anyone with a parental absence note will be excused.



So this isn't really a statement in that there appears to be know risk, it is more like a backdoor way to allow political statements to be made by the school district. There isn't seriously going to be any consequences to the students for their actions and given current behavior on the political left I am almost sure there will be a riot and property damage.

For ther record other officals deny this is sanctioned or that it will be consequence free, but I don't believe them.