In response to recent student protests across Nevada, the ACLU of Nevada has issued a statement supporting students’ rights to free expression. The organization recently hosted a virtual “Know Your Rights” meeting for students and families, offering guidance on student walkouts and protest activity. Additionally, the ACLU of Nevada provides an online form for students who face disciplinary action as a result of participating in First Amendment activities.
Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the ACLU of Nevada, stated:
“Our message to students and families throughout Nevada who are mortified by the federal government’s misconduct is one of solidarity. As students seek to use their voices to draw attention to the horrific abuse ICE is perpetuating nationwide, our organization will continue to make sure the rights of those engaged in protest activity in Nevada are protected. While there are gray areas in this area of law surrounding student walkouts, many of those gray areas will likely be made clear should litigation arise, and as everyone knows, we are no strangers to Nevada courtrooms. Schools cannot subject students to discipline simply because they participated in protest and discipline of students who engage in student walkouts, including in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsion, detention, prohibiting extracurricular access, school staff making threats, impacts to a student’s ability to move up a grade, and impacts to a student’s ability to graduate, will be litigated if those should arise. Disparities in the way absences are treated could also create grounds for litigation, especially when a parent or guardian requests excusal of an absence and those requests are not honored. If you believe your rights were violated, complete our intake form on our website. We encourage Nevada school districts to spend their time ensuring all of our students have the support they need in the midst of barbaric federal actions that have led to family separation and immense fear instead of finding ways to try to chill or suppress speech.”
The ACLU’s resources for reporting disciplinary actions related to protests can be accessed at aclunv.org/ProtestReport.
