The organizers of a campaign to conduct immigration-related walkouts at public high schools in metro Atlanta on Friday said that the Cobb County School District is being asked to refuse to cooperate with any enforcement efforts that may take place on campuses.
The group known as abolish.ice.georgia also said the district is being requested to provide “access to counseling and mental health support for students affected by immigration-related stress, as well as staff training on students’ rights and how to respond appropriately if immigration officials appear at school.”
The walkouts are in response to two shooting deaths of civilians and related violence in recent weeks in Minneapolis, where federal immigration authorities—including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency, or ICE—have been carrying out enforcement activities.
The abolish.ice.georgia group—which has been posting anonymously but claims it’s run by students—also said that “if these concerns are not addressed by Thursday, students will proceed with a peaceful walkout on Friday.”
The message was addressed to “Dear Cobb County School District” and signed by “All Cobb County Students” but no names were included (see below).
The message, posted Wednesday on the group’s Instagram account, is in response to a statement from the Cobb County School District on Tuesday that students who violate its code of conduct will be facing disciplinary action.
The district said that walkouts during the class day would “disrupt school operations and distract students and teachers.”
Walkouts have been announced at several Cobb high schools, including Lassiter, Sprayberry and Wheeler in East Cobb.
All are tentatively scheduled to be held after class periods or blocks, either at main entrances or in the case of Sprayberry, on the football field.
Updated, Thursday, 3:30 p.m.:
In a request for comment from East Cobb News, abolish.ice.georgia said it consists of a small group of three student organizers, and that it is relaying messages from individual school walkout organizers on a social media channel.
“Our role is to help share information, amplify student voices, and promote peaceful protest. We are not a formal organization, nor do we claim to represent every student in the Cobb County School District.”
The response from abolish.ice.georgia—whose individuals are not named—said it could not identify those students at the school level.
“Many of the students involved are minors and have explicitly requested that their identities remain private for safety and personal reasons. We take that responsibility seriously.”
Original story resumes:
In its statement Tuesday, the Cobb school district said that the code of conduct includes “disrupting the instructional day,” and that the consequences include out-of-school suspensions, as well as “the potential loss of parking privileges, sports, and extracurricular privileges. Each has long-lasting impacts that could be taken into account by college admission offices and future employers.”
The district encouraged “families to speak with their children about appropriate civic engagement and the importance of not disrupting school.”
On Wednesday, abolish.ice.georgia claimed that “attempting to silence voices through threats or intimidation do not create safety or trust. They only show who you choose to side with and that student voices are not being heard.”
East Cobb News has left a message with the Cobb school district seeking a response to Wednesday’s abolish.ice.georgia statement.
In its statement to East Cobb News, abolish.ice.georgia said that “at this time, we are not in direct contact with Cobb County School District officials. No formal discussions are taking place regarding calling off the walkouts. Students are making individual decisions about participation, understanding that consequences may apply, and many have expressed that they are prepared for that in order to raise awareness and speak out peacefully.”
ICE has been in Minneapolis in recent weeks as part of a 3,000-troop federal effort to detain illegal immigrants, including the involvement of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Two U.S. Border Patrol agents involved in the fatal shootings have been placed on administrative leave as the Trump Administration is changing leadership for its Minnesota operations.
Related:
- Cobb school district warns students about ICE walkouts
- Pope youth football coach and booster battling dementia
- Walton chess club finishes 3rd in MLK tournament
- Ga. bill would require school boards to air public comments
- Mt. Bethel Christian Academy STAR student and teacher named
- Cobb schools financial watchdog launches website
- Cobb school district 2026-27 transfer window to open
- Addison ES principal charged with DUI
Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!
Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!
Ragsdale is a Republican, why is anybody surprised?
How narrow minded and prejudiced; this has nothing to do with political party. It is indoctrination of children and fabricated social unrest. If it is possible for you try to comprehend and see past your prejudice try to understand the real scenerio. It is an attempt to use kids being used as pawns. Simple as that! Put your prejudice down and attempt to understand what is happening – if possible
It says a lot about an organization that comes for and uses children….
Agreed….