‘It’s re-segregation, honestly:’ More than 200 Midtown HS students walk out over rezoning plan
On Friday hundreds of Atlanta students walked out of class to protest a rezoning that they believe would move many students of color to a different high school.
Channel 2′s Elizabeth Rawlins was at Midtown High School Friday, where students told her this action will have a dramatic impact on diversity at the school.
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Every student in the area who lives west of the connector would be moved out of Midtown High School and to Washington High.
“We do not agree with the rezoning,” Mari’yon Porter told Channel 2 Action News.
Students walked peacefully and quietly across the street to Piedmont Park, where they started chanting in protest.
Atlanta Public Schools is proposing to relocate students who are part of the so-called ‘centennial cluster’ and move them to Washington High School, which is southeast of Vine City.
According to the district, this would impact students in nearly 10 area neighborhoods and many people in the community are upset because it threatens to reduce diversity since it would include a large group of minorities.
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“I felt like we should do something about it and we should be heard,” Makai Strozier said.
“We feel like it’s re-segregation honestly,” said Porter.
In a statement to Channel 2 Action News APS officials stated:
“Atlanta Public Schools values student voices and is committed to supporting our students when they feel a sense of urgency to make their voices heard.”
Even though the district is supportive of student opinion, they told Channel 2 Action News there will be consequences for the 200-plus students who decided to walk out.
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