PHS Students Stage Walk-Out To Protest Bush Administration

Candace Braun

"Bush Out Now!" chanted a crowd of almost 100 Princeton High School students during a protest against the president on Wednesday, November 2.

At 9 a.m. students gathered on the front lawn of PHS, tossing aside their backpacks, jackets, and pre-calculus books to take part in a walk-out protesting the Bush administration and the president's re-election one year ago. The walk-out was part of a nationwide movement organized by "World Can't Wait," which states on its Web site that it has no set ideology or political point of view, but is to be used as a vehicle for those who are unhappy with the current administration (www.worldcantwait.org).

"The students feel they are the future," read an email sent out to local newspapers by the Coalition For Peace Action announcing the walk-out. "They want the the Bush administration to take public opinion seriously."

Students showed their unhappiness with the administration's policies on the environment, education, civil liberties, and international relations through signs such as "Has Anyone Seen Our Constitution Lately?" and "Fake News Reports Are Treason."

Students seemed the most adamant about the war in Iraq, waving signs like "No Blood For Oil" and "Make Love, Not War."

"We're really upset with how the Bush administration has been handling things," said one female student, who wished to remain anonymous. "We really want books, not bombs."

"Bush is not doing the right thing for this country and our young people," said Molly Lloyd, a sophomore.

Her friend, Rebecca Spalding, also a sophomore, said: "We just want to show the country and our town that we have a voice and we want change."

Superintendent Judy Wilson, as well as other faculty members, stood by to observe and make sure things didn't get out of hand.

"While I would never condone a disruption to the classroom setting, [the students] have handled themselves well," said Ms. Wilson. "They have shown their views on the issues through this protest in a very organized way."

PHS Principal Gary Snyder said that while he wished the students were in class, he wasn't upset by their decision to express themselves.

"Everything is business as usual," he said, noting that knowledge of the protest did not disrupt the faculty from conducting a regular school day. He added that he hoped the protest would generate a discussion when students returned to the building.

Students chanted expressions like "1,2,3,4 ... we don't want your lousy war!" and gathered together in a circle resembling a peace sign to sing songs of peace like "Kumbaya" to the accompaniment of a student's guitar.

A few individuals chose to show opposing views by driving by in a pick-up truck with an American flag tied to the back. One of the passengers was seen getting out of the vehicle to tear a sign about the protest from the high school's front door.

One elderly resident across the street came out to question what the protest was about as he readied his bike for a ride.

"At least we don't have to worry about the views of the future leaders of our country," he said as he rode by the school.

Ashley Roome, a senior and one of the leaders of the event, recalled how she and other students staged a similar protest when Bush first declared war when she was a freshman.

"We're very unhappy with the Bush administration," she said, her voice hoarse from leading the students in chants for almost an hour.

She and a small group of students continued the protest by taking a train to New York City, where as many as 3,000 people filled Union Square, according to the "World Can't Wait" Web site.

"People came in small bunches, with friends and family, and in crews of up to 100 from dozens of high schools and colleges," read a posting on the Web site, listing some of the participants as parents with toddlers, Vietnam veterans, clergy, teachers, and artists.

New York was one of several cities where last Wednesday's protests were held, among them Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.