SIDSA writes to extends its support to the students of Vienna high school and their family members who stood for immigrants and racial justice in their anti-ICE protests. These protests came as a response to hate crimes perpetuated against Latino and gay students at Vienna High School. Students took solidarity and justice into their own hands after the high school administration refused to take action to stop the racial violence in their institution.
Students are now facing expulsion for defending themselves against yet another hate crime committed against children by two adult white men who physically threatened and spewed anti-Black racial slurs at one of the students during their anti-ice protest.
We condemn the actions of Vienna High School as cowardly and racist. Schools should be protecting their students from hate crimes, not punishing them for standing up for themselves during violence committed against them. Vienna High School is perpetuating the institutional and systemic violence that has historically and presently affected both Black Americans and Indigenous peoples of this land by ignoring racial violence and suppressing the brave student voices rising against this violence. This action has disrupted the very important education of the students at the protest.
We call on our members and the larger community to put pressure on Vienna high school to do what is just and drop these expulsion charges. We also call for help with legal costs for the families dealing with the expulsions. You can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-alices-fight-for-her-daughters-rights