By Arianna Smith RHS Stentor
The bubbling tension between Detroit Public Schools and its teachers finally boiled over on the eve of an organized mass student protest.
Fueled by continued tales of the struggles of teachers to gain better pay, respect and working conditions, the senior class of Renaissance High School organized a student walkout protest on Jan. 25. Students planned and sent updates through social media in an attempt to surprise administration and district officials. When the event was discovered, Renaissance administration immediately took action to prevent it.
“We heard all kinds of rumors about police being called to keep us in,” said junior Jaynae Tully. “And they told us straight up we'd be suspended if we left class to go protest.”
The administration also told protesters that it was illegal to demonstrate on school grounds. However, threats of suspension, expulsion and other disciplinary action did little to quell the student's fervor as many arrived at noon to continue with the protest on the island across the street from Renaissance, cheering and holding handmade signs to show support for teachers in front of the assembled news station.
Inside and restricted by the repercussions, students also participated in a lunchroom ‘sit-in’, and paraded through the halls, chanting “Get our teachers paid or we do this every day”.
“I don't know who came up with the chant thing, but everybody likes it,” said freshman Corey Jackson. “It's hype and it's for real."
Students returned to protesting at 3:20 p.m., undaunted by the unhappy responses of security and administration.
