Sacramento: School Administrator Aggressively Stamp out Dissent
Published on 24 April 2007

Sacramento, CA – Students in at least three school districts around the Sacramento region were suspended for peacefully expressing their views about the Day of Silence. Because these views did not endorse the lifestyle of gays and lesbians, school administrators acted aggressively to stamp out dissent.

The Day of Silence is an annual event staged in April at many high schools. Students are encouraged to go the entire school day without speaking as a protest against harassment of gay and lesbian students, and to “demand change.” An estimated 3-4,000 students in the Sacramento area chose to stay home on the Day of Silence to avoid being confronted with pro-homosexual protests. Other students concerned about the one-sided messages determined to wear clothing and distribute literature which peacefully highlighted the dangers of homosexuality. Dozens of religious students were disciplined for expressing their viewpoints at Inderkum, Rio Linda and San Juan high schools. Approximately thirty students at Rio Linda alone were sent home, suspended or given “Saturday school.” the rest