By Sher Zieve – On 27 May, dozens of predominantly Mexican-American students illegally walked out of their classes at Jurupa Valley High School, to join protests against the House of Representatives’ Border Security and Immigration Bill-HR 4437. No action was taken against these students.

However, student Josh Denhalter opted to form a legal counter-protest, in support of the bill, during the school lunch hour on 30 May in a public forum area; on a public sidewalk across the street from the school. Because of his pro-HR4437 protest, the school suspended Denhalter. CWS reports: “The peaceable assembly would not have disrupted school activities because Jurupa Valley High School has an “open lunch” period. This means that students are free to come and go during this time. As such, any student could have “walked out” during the lunch to attend the assembly and there would be no disruption or violation of truancy laws.”

Although Jurupa High School allowed the radical MEChA organization to sponsor rallies on campus in opposition to HR4437, between 27-30 May, the school district board denied Denhalter the right to conduct an on-campus counter rally. The school district also denied Denhalter the right to wear a “Save our State” T-shirt.

Denhalter has filed a lawsuit against the school district and his lead attorney Richard D. Ackerman commented: “This is one of the worst governmental censorship cases I have seen in over a decade of practice. It is simply unbelievable that a school district would take sides with those who promote illegal activity over a student wishing to express his protected views in a traditionally and legally acceptable manner. These officials must be severely punished for their actions.”

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