Austin High Schoolers Plan Mass Walk-Out From Class To Protest Trump Inauguration

AUSTIN, TX — Students from several Austin-area high schools will participate in a walk-out from their campuses to protest the election of Donald Trump, organizers said.

The 3 p.m. walkout is being organized by Youth Rise Texas, which describes itself as a membership organization of young people whose lives have been touched by the incarceration, detention or deportation of a loved one. Students from KIPP Collegiate, McCallum High School and Cedars International High School are scheduled to participate.

“We will not stay silent in the face of hate, we want to use our voices, and we want to show that we will defend each other and stand up for others in our community," Lucina Aviles, a 17-year-old junior at KIPP and YRT member, said in a prepared statement.

Although most high school students are excluded from the electoral process due to minimum voting age requirements, the tactic of coordinated walk-outs gives young people a voice to air their concerns about the incoming Trump administration, organizers said.

"I'm walking out to show that I reject the social norms, like racism and sexism, that President-elect Trump will bring when he enters the White House today." said Vanessa Crist, 17, a McCallum High School senior.

The walk-out will culminate at 4 p.m. at Auditorium Shores where students will host a speak-out and rally, and then will join the march organized by One Resistance from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Adult allies and the community at-large is invited to join the protesters at Auditorium Shores and "...to help amplify our statement," officials said.

For more information visit www.Facebook.com/YouthRiseTexas

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