School district in Thurston County ending student protests on campus

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — After a student-led protest and walkout at River Ridge High School in Olympia on Jan. 31 in support of a student-athlete who was the recent subject of racist taunts during a basketball game, North Thurston Public Schools said it will halt student protests on campus.

The Black Student Union organized the walkout in hopes of putting an end to racism and rape culture within schools, according to flyers for the “BSU student strike.”

More than 100 students walked out of class.

Students carried signs and chanted “Black lives matter” and “we have rights.”

While the district said that there was work that must be done, it said it investigates all “allegations of racial harassment, sexual harassment, and/or assault reported by our students.”

The district said it is listening to student feedback on the investigation process with a view to updating its protocols.

While the district does allow students to peacefully protest without interrupting normal school operations and has allowed it this week, it said student chanting has become “disruptive” to the school environment.

Beginning Feb. 7, officials said it will no longer allow students participating in the walkout to protest on campus as they will be expected to attend their classes.

However, district officials said it plans to “finalize a plan to provide students, staff, and families with a safe space to have their concerns heard.”

District officials also said they plan to provide students “with the opportunity to have trained advocates present during investigations regarding sexual assault, racism, and disciplinary conversations.”

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