Pennsbury Students Call For ‘Humanity’ At Walkout Forced Inside Due To Threats

Security threats and online vitriol forced Pennsbury High School students to move a planned Friday morning walkout indoors.

What was originally intended as a walkout that would meet near the campus’ pool house transitioned into a 20-minute demonstration inside the school’s East Building auditorium at approximately 10 a.m.

The event, which focused on federal immigration policy and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, drew a large crowd of students wishing to make their voices heard.

The Falls Township Police Department, Pennsbury School District security, and the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency were present at the school. In addition to on-the-ground security, a drone was spotted providing an overhead view to district and police personnel.

Nelson Whitney, Falls Township’s police chief, said there were no problems inside the school, but there were threats and concerning posts on the internet.

One person posted a graphic that implied using a vehicle to run down people they disagree with, Whitney said, adding no charges had been filed as of Friday afternoon.

“This is a polarizing topic, and the police’s job is to keep everyone safe,” he said.

Pennsbury used school buses to block the entrance and exits to the campus to stop vehicles from entering.

Police maintained an increased presence at the high school until students left as part of a pre-planned early dismissal.

Inside the auditorium, the atmosphere was one of storytelling and discussion.

Students said they heard from peers whose families fled communist Cuba, as well as those who spoke about the struggles of new arrivals.

“A lot of immigrants are being grouped in with awful terms, such as criminal, or murderers, or all these different things,” senior Jorge Otero Toledo said after the event. “It’s really important to show the humanity of these immigrants and how much their sacrificing and why. We shouldn’t treat them as lesser, but give them a helping hand because they’ve left everything behind.”

Senior Jacob Barclay described the gathering as a moment of unity.

“It was really nice to see how unique everyone’s story really was,” Barclay said. “It does truly make me feel America isn’t just the states, it’s the entire two continents.”

“I don’t see the country I was promised when I was younger,” senior Cooper McKee said. “I see it all falling apart.”

McKee, a senior, said there is too much division in the country and people need to look past differences to make the nation better, citing a speech by President Abraham Lincoln about the troubles caused by a divided nation.

A student with a “pro-ICE” shirt was spotted leaving the high school, and a student inside the high school said a peer wore clothing to show support for immigration enforcement officials.

The demonstration drew national attention earlier this week after several posts by conservative activist Scott Presler, who labeled the event an “anti-police protest” and encouraged counter-protesters to bring “pro-ICE” signs.

The walkout was originally scheduled for earlier this week, but it had to be moved to Friday due to attention brought by the political influencer.

Despite rumors of a counter protest scheduled for outside the school, one did not materialize. One woman yelled at reporters as she drove by in her SUV, and a man in a minivan smiled as he held up a sign in support of President Donald Trump.

@levittownnow What was planned as an outdoor walkout ended up in the Pennsbury High auditorium Friday. Students shared stories about immigration and called for unity, as police and school security monitored the campus following threats. #Pennsbury #PennsburyHighSchool #FallsTwp #LevittownPA #BucksCounty #LevittownNow ♬ original sound – LevittownNow.com

In a statement, Principal Reggie Meadows and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith praised the student body for their conduct at the student-led event.

“They conducted themselves with maturity and integrity,” the administrators wrote. “Students on both sides of the issue were firm in their beliefs while remaining respectful throughout the event.”

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated in general guidance that students retain First Amendment rights in school, citing case law and the Constitution. The group did note that districts may still discipline students for missing class.

Students who participated at Pennsbury High School are not expected to face disciplinary action.

The protest comes after a similar events at high schools across the country. There was a demonstration at nearby Neshaminy High School on Thursday, which was forced inside after a threat, which was later deemed unfounded.

Police maintained an increased presence at Pennsbury until students departed for a pre-planned early dismissal.

Photojournalist Natalie Grimmer contributed to this reporting.