Almost 75 students at Houlton Middle High School in Maine walked out of classes to protest the pervasive culture of sexual harassment, assault, and bullying at the school. The protest was sparked by the sharing of photos of mostly girls from the school on social media. The students carried signs and chanted “No Means No”, while some boys yelled “No Means Yes”. The school officials are investigating the impact of the photo sharing on the student learning environment.
The Houlton School District serves various towns in Aroostook County and has a total student population of around 623. Students shared their experiences of bullying and sexual harassment, claiming that when reported, the incidents were often swept under the rug. Parent and student complaints about the lack of action by the school administration have been raised.
Houlton Police Chief and other officers attended the walkout to ensure the students’ safety. The students plan to address their concerns about ongoing issues of bullying and sexual harassment at the upcoming school board meeting on Oct. 7. School principal DeWayne Morse commended the students for speaking out and being heard. The students are determined to bring attention to the problems at their school and are demanding action to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
Source
Photo credit www.bangordailynews.com