High school students march on state capitol

There was another protest today at the state Capitol – the third rally this week.  Hundreds of Lansing high school students walked out of class to march on the Capitol. 

Some of the students sunned themselves on the Capitol steps, took pictures, laughed, and chatted on their phones, while others stood by the road and waved signs. They called out to passing drivers to honk if they opposed budget cuts called for by Governor Rick Snyder.

One of the students was 18-year-old Brandon Williams. “(I’m) protesting because they’re cutting schools and the unions and we need that money going to the schools.”

Williams says he does not expect to get into trouble for skipping class to exercise his First Amendment right to protest.  But a Lansing School District spokeswoman says that is a violation of the student code of conduct.

Some students said they’ve already been told they’re facing suspension. Others said their teachers agreed not to report them for skipping class to attend the rally.