Dozens of students walk out of Milwaukee High School of the Arts protesting school safety
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Dozens of Milwaukee High School of the Arts students walked out of school Tuesday morning, Nov. 9, to protest what they call a lack of safety protocols.
Students at the protest claimed their school is not a safe place to be, citing threats of violence and fights.
"We decided to do a walk-out to finally get their attention, and it worked," said 17-year-old Aj'Liyah Granger, "But at the same time, we don't feel like it's going to change, because it's happened several times."
They want school officials to respond to their concerns over violence at school.
Some students told CBS 58 they brought these concerns to the school administration, but felt like they were tossed aside.
“It’s not a drill:” A couple dozen students walked out of Milwaukee High School of the Arts this morning to protest their safety. Some students tell me they don’t feel safe in school because of other students walking around the building with weapons. @CBS58pic.twitter.com/VWnzu6kIfl
— Gabriella Bachara (@GabbyBachara) November 9, 2021
Crystal Russell, the senior who organized the walk-out Tuesday morning, said she wants to see more security and police in her school.
"I'm seeing it for myself. People are walking around the school carrying. People are walking around the school with pocket knives, brass knuckles, pepper spray, everything," Russell said. "We're telling (the administration) this and they're just blowing it off."
Some students say this all came to a head Monday after a lockdown they say happened due to threats of violence.
Milwaukee Public Schools administration sent the following statement when asked about the walk-out:
“Milwaukee High School of the Arts staff is aware of the student concerns regarding safety within the school building. We take those concerns seriously and value the health and well-being of our students above all else. School leaders at MHSA have worked swiftly and diligently to hear and address all security concerns while keeping the line of communication open regarding these concerns with students and families. Milwaukee Public Schools will continue to work with each of our schools, as well as our community partners, on additional steps that will keep our school buildings secure while maintaining the integrity of our learning environment.”
MPS has yet to respond to CBS 58 News about what could've led up to the alleged lockdown.
Granger said as things stand, she wishes they would have a response similar to how they approach COVID-19 protocols.
"We don't feel like it's going to change, because it's happened several times. They're so worried about our masks, which I understand, but they don't really do nothing when it comes to fights," said Granger.