Carmen students protest after losing classroom used for arts and music

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A group of students in Milwaukee are protesting at Carmen School of Science and Technology to keep their classroom. 

The protests center around a classroom which students say helps keep them connected to their culture. 

Room 11 at Carmen is used for art and music. Now, ALBA, which is also part of the Milwaukee Public Schools system, is set to take over the room. Carmen and ALBA share a building. 

MPS sent a memo earlier in August telling students ALBA would take the space but did not give a timetable on when it would happen. 

"Always people are speaking for us instead of to us. And now we want our voices heard. We want MPS to listen to us and do what they said they were going to do in the first place. We're going to stay out here as long, as long as we need to," senior student Naomi Schliepp said. 

MPS sent the following statement:

"ALBA and Carmen South share space in the Walker Complex. Both schools are high performing MPS charter schools. The district has been collaborating with both leadership teams to ensure space utilization for both programs. We understand Carmen’s disappointment with the allocation for the current year. We will continue to explore possible options that satisfy programming for both schools. The passion from ALBA and Carmen students, staff and families demonstrates their commitment to such strong academic programs."