Students from multiple school districts in Central Texas organized walkouts on March 18, 2024, to protest the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The demonstrations involved hundreds of students from Hays CISD, Manor ISD, Lockhart ISD, and Pflugerville ISD, leading to significant responses from state officials, including investigations initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and directives from Governor Greg Abbott.
The protests occurred across several campuses, notably at Hays High School, Live Oak Academy High School, Johnson High School, Lehman High School, and Barton Middle School, all within Hays CISD. Additionally, students walked out from high schools in Manor ISD, Lockhart ISD, and all five high schools in Pflugerville ISD. The participation spanned five campuses, with reports indicating that several hundred students left their classes in unison.
In response to the student protests, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into Austin ISD, requesting documents related to campus departure policies and internal communications. Governor Greg Abbott instructed the state’s education commissioner to examine the situation, emphasizing that taxpayer funds should be used for educational purposes rather than facilitating protests.
School officials clarified that the walkouts were not authorized, and participating students would be marked absent according to attendance policies. Potential disciplinary actions were also indicated for those who violated campus regulations. Statements from various school districts noted that they neither endorsed nor facilitated the protests.
At Lockhart High School, students left campus around 1:10 p.m. and marched along Highway 183 toward downtown Lockhart, as detailed in a letter from Principal Michael Herbin. Law enforcement, including the Caldwell County Constables and Lockhart Police, monitored the situation to ensure safety. In Pflugerville ISD, most students gathered near the Pflugerville Justice Center, prompting school officials to encourage parents to arrange transportation for their children.
The situation was viewed by Hays CISD as a potential educational opportunity, hoping that all students would gain a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities, regardless of their stance on the issues at hand.
The protests unfolded against a backdrop of unrelated incidents in the Austin area on the same day. A police SWAT team responded to a barricaded suspect following a domestic disturbance call early in the morning. Additionally, traffic incidents resulted in fatalities, including a cyclist struck by a vehicle on State Highway 71 near the Austin airport. A pedestrian also lost their life in a separate crash downtown. Furthermore, the Austin Fire Department responded to a significant fire at an abandoned apartment complex early Monday.
These events highlight ongoing public safety concerns in the Austin area, coinciding with the student protests over ICE activities.
