Fight the Power

Matt Wood — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:42:00 GMT

Chicago has a rather checkered history with political protests. Who doesn't remember the Haymarket Riot, or Mayor Daley's thugs cracking skulls at the 1968 Democratic National Convention? Okay, maybe that's just me because I'm a history nerd, but the point is that local leaders usually don't take no mess. Now, some high school students in the suburb of Berwyn have run afoul of the man for protesting the Iraq war at school.

Earlier this month, at least 35 students staged a sit-in in the cafeteria at Morton West High School, in response to regular visits to the school by military recruiters. The school has suspended and threatened to expel 25 of the kids who refused to move their party outside when asked by school administrators. Now, parents are raising a shit storm, saying the punishment is too severe. Some of the kids even claim that top students and athletes were let off easy and not punished, and that the school won't give them their homework during their suspensions.

At first this was one of those extremely local fights that seemed like it would work itself in due time, but now Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition is threatening to sue the school district, and whenever he gets involved, things pick up steam. A school spokesman responded, "We won't engage these demagogues. We'll engage the parents." Well, that was constructive. Stay tuned, this may get ugly.

At least those kids are sticking around to see what happens, unlike 11-year-old Sarah Montgomery. Police are still looking for her after she jumped out of her father's car and ran away Sunday night.

UPDATE - Well, that was quick. The students have been allowed to return to school, although four of the ringleaders will remain suspended for the week.

Strollerderby : political protest

Fight the Power