When a group of students announced they would walk out of Alabaster’s Thompson High School during the school day in opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a half-dozen students, who are in the final stages of formally establishing a Turning Point USA Chapter at their school decided to act as well, coordinating the night before to gather Friday before school “to pray for our nation."
The decision that had the unequivocal support of Alabaster School System superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers.
“We are a firm believer in a student or employee's right to religious expression. I am adamant about that, and so is our school system, our principal, and everyone involved,” Vickers told 1819 News. “We are true believers in giving that opportunity.”
The students praying on Friday met at the foundation for approximately 20 minutes. Afterward, there was concern that the site they chose was not the safest, given the foot and vehicle traffic in the morning from student arrivals. Vickers said the school provides a courtyard area for student prayer, and students are always allowed to pray on campus. The student group was encouraged to inform school administrators so the event can be advertised and a safe space designated.
1819 News spoke to one of the students and her father, who explained that while there are a number of interested students, the chapter was working with the administration to be official.
Maddie Lawrence, of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), joined the students on campus on Friday morning.
"We prayed outside with the chapter and had a good conversation with the principal afterwards. He said we are good to go as long as we find a teacher sponsor, which we found one that afternoon," Lawrence told 1819 News in a written statement. Lawrence added that the organization and students have been working through the school's process for several months.
Lawrence is the Dixie Territory high school field representative, covering Alabama, northern Mississippi and the western Panhandle of Florida.
"I started with 2 strong chapters, one at Gulf Shores High School, and one in Mississippi. Today, I have 124 chapters in my territory, 84 of which are in the state of Alabama. We have many more in the works!" Lawrence told 1819 News.
On Thursday, the Department of Education released guidance in support of student prayer.
“The Trump Administration is proud to stand with students, parents, and faculty who wish to exercise their First Amendment rights in schools across our great nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Our Constitution safeguards the free exercise of religion as one of the guiding principles of our republic, and we will vigorously protect that right in America's public schools.”
Photos from the students’ anti-ICE protest indicate that no more than 10 people participated. School administrators said that if students were found to have skipped school without complying with all applicable school policies, they could face disciplinary action.
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