06:56 PM CST on Wednesday, March 29, 2006

By Amy Tortolani & Doug Miller / 11 News

Amy Tortolani's 11 News at 5 report | Mayde Creek students march | Reggie Aqui's report on warnings
Doug Miller's audio report from City Hall

Students protesting proposed immigration reform continued their march again Wednesday, despite warnings of disiplinary action from school administrators.

KHOU

Young protesters enjoy a lighter moment in the City Hall Reflection Pool.

HPD reports two protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct in the 1200 block of Alabama. It's not clear what school they attend.

The largest protest Wednesday involved about 150 students who walked out of Galena Park High School and gathered in the stadium.

Alvin High School reported about 100 students meeting before the start of the school day to protest. They marched northbound on Highway 35 to the Pearland city limits with a police escort, spokeswoman Shirley Brothers said.

A bus picked up the students, who were taken back to school. Some of their parents were already waiting when they returned.

Another 35 students from Mayde Creek High School marched to the Harris County Courthouse Annex at Clay Road and Highway 6.

Houston Independent School District spokesman Terry Abbott said about 50 students from Marshall Middle School went to City Hall. They chanted, waved Mexican flags and splashed in the reflecting pool in front of City Hall.

KHOU

Protesters from Mayde Creek waved the U.S. and Mexican flags.

Abbott said he does not think those children walked out of school but that they went to City Hall instead of school.

Galena Park's first day of demonstrations

Students in Galena Park started their protest when someone pulled the fire alarm around 8:30 a.m.

The students were coming back from the baseball and football field, about 150 loud, but peaceful, students started marching.

They waved Mexican flags and chanted as they walked nearly 8 miles around the Galena Park School District.

“We are hoping that we all stay united as one whole community,” student protester Mario Perez said. “Us Latinos, right?”

After about three hours, the walk ended at Demmett Field, where students had the choice to go home with their parents or go back to school.

 “It’s right – we’re fighting for our rights,” Jackie Velasco said. “Immigrants: They do everything. They’ve so done the freeway jobs, all the jobs that no one else wants to do. We’re here doing whatever it takes.”

A Galena Park spokesperson said Wednesday would count as an unexcused absence, but if the protest contines Thursday – discliplinary action will be taken.

Disciplinary action

The consequences will be stiff for those absent from school.

HISD superintendent Dr. Abe Saavedra on Tuesday said students who engaged in that activity Wednesday could be suspended for up to three days or removed from school. HISD students are only allowed three unexcused absences a semester, officials said.

A Katy ISD spokesperson said the Mayde Creek students were warned of disciplinary action before leaving, but they marched to the courthouse annex on Clay Road anyway.

The spokesperson said those students would receive five days of in-school suspension, and those who were seniors would not be allowed to go on the senior trip.

Alvin ISD considers the students truant, and they will receive in-school suspension or be required to attend Saturday classes.

Events leading up to consequence

After Tuesday's walkouts, local school districts took a tough stand to discourage students from protesting during school hours for a third day.

Hundreds of students from school districts all over the Houston area took to the streets Tuesday. The reception they received from law enforcement and elected officials varied greatly.

Police issued dozens of citations for blocking traffic and disorderly conduct. Others got in trouble for curfew violations, in other words — for not staying in school.

At Houston’s City Hall, where at least 1,000 protesters converged, some got a chance to meet the mayor or visit with City Council members who welcomed them with open arms.

KHOU-TV

Students converged at City Hall on Tuesday.

Still, other council members criticized their participation and suggested it was inappropriate.

Several school superintendents tried to make the muddled message sent to the students clear.

“The consequences for students who violate the standards of conduct will be more severe.  A repeat of [Tuesday’s] demonstrations could cause students to be suspended for up to three days, or be removed,” a statement from HISD superintendent Dr. Abe Saavedra said.