Our View: Civil disobedience is a proud American tradition, but
students must understand that their actions come with
consequences
Monday at lunch time, about 200 Gilroy High School students walked off campus to protest HR 4437, which, if passed, will criminalize illegal immigration, tighten border security, and crack down on employers and individuals who aid illegal immigrants.
They passed Principal James Maxwell and a police officer as they left school grounds, and headed downtown. Maxwell stated that his major concern was for the safety of the students while on the street.
He said that administrators had not decided if the students would be disciplined for cutting their afternoon classes. He pointed out that punishing such a large group of students would not be very practical. “They’ll be back in school tomorrow, that’s what I care about. We want them in class learning.”
Tuesday at lunch time, 100 GHS students walked off campus to protest HR 4437. They walked past an administrator who waved ineffectual hands, saying, “Kids, kids, don’t do this.”
The group dispersed rapidly, only about 50 students remaining when they reached the corner of Hanna and Eighth streets. Another nine students peeled off at that corner, heading north and south.
America has a long and proud history of civil disobedience. The term was coined by Henry David Thoreau, as he refused to pay his poll tax because it went to support a government that allowed slavery. The techniques were used by Martin Luther King Jr., by anti-war protesters and women’s rights activists.
But Thoreau made plain that part and parcel of civil disobedience is accepting the consequences. In fact, he wrote “Civil Disobedience” in jail. Martin Luther King spent time in jail. So did Gandhi. Rosa Parks was arrested. Freedom ain’t free.
Therefore we urge Principal Maxwell and the administration of GHS to dole out the customary consequences to anyone skipping school, whether two or 200, whether for political protest or a day on the beach. Teachers should award zeroes to anyone who cuts class. Mani Corzo will have many participants for his lunch hour and after-school trash sweeps.
Just as a “practical” consideration, imposing consequences will weed out the kids who merely want to skip school. They will be back in school tomorrow. That’s what we care about. We want them in class learning.
The students who care enough about their cause to take the consequences can pay the price proudly, in the great American tradition. Call it a lesson in citizenship.
