1,000 Salem-Keizer Students Protest Immigration Reform

HEAR THIS STORY AND MORE SALEM-AREA NEWS FROM SALEM-NEWS.COMS KEVIN HAYS ON NEWSRADIO 1190 KEX

File Photo By: Tim King

(SALEM) - Over 1,000 Salem-Keizer high and middle school students walked out of their classes on Monday.

The students marched to the steps of the Oregon State Capitol to join together in a rally protesting a bill by the U.S. House cracking down on illegal immigration.

Salem-Keizer District spokesman Jay Remy says the students who left campus will face either detention or suspension in accordance with district's policy on unexcused absences or truancy.

Patti Hoffert, the School District's Secondary-Education Assistant Director, said she hopes the rally helps to further the student's understanding of democracy and freedom of speech.

McNary Assistant Principal Jay Crystal said he is working with students to organize a voluntary school assembly on Friday that will allow them to make their point without leaving the school property.

Local students contacted Salem-News.com advising that a number of middle school students also participated in the event.