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Local students join statewide demonstrations criticized by Paxton
BASTROP — Hundreds of Bastrop County students walked out of class Monday morning and marched through downtown Bastrop to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions.
The walkout, held after first period, drew participants from several Bastrop Independent School District campuses. Students carried signs and chanted as part of statewide demonstrations held by Texas students in recent weeks.
“I feel really excited because I feel like people really underestimate our generation and feel like we don’t care, but this shows that we do,” said Bastrop High School freshman Maggie Gordon.
Bastrop ISD Principal Kyrstal Gabriel said the protest was not sanctioned by the district and urged students to remain in class. In a message sent to parents and staff on Thursday, Jan. 29, she said the district does not organize or endorse political demonstrations and employees are prohibited from engaging in political expression while on the job.
Participating students were marked with an unexcused absence on the day.
“While we understand the intent of the protest/ walkout is to be peaceful, participation in any public gathering — especially a protest — carries inherent risk,” the message said.
The Bastrop walkout comes as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton investigates Austin Independent School District over protests that happened across 14 campuses last week.
On Feb. 2, Paxton requested information related to Austin ISD policies on students leaving campus, as well as accusing district officials of allowing and in some cases “facilitating” students leaving campus.
“Parents expect our public schools to educate and keep their kids safe during the school day, not encourage them to attend a protest field trip designed to villainize brave law enforcement officials protecting our country,” Paxton said in a statement.
Despite the scrutiny, student demonstrations have continued to spread across Central Texas. Thousands of students across the state have participated in walkouts, reflecting growing youth activism around immigration enforcement and other political issues.
As districts navigate safety concerns and state oversight, students like Gordon say the walkouts are about making their voices heard.
“We’re out here doing this, which kind of shows something … we should be in school learning things, but instead we’re out here trying to teach y’all something,” she said.
More protests may be on the horizon in Bastrop County. Elgin Independent School District students are expected to hold their own walkout on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
