To the editor:
Protests against ICE and the deportation of illegal immigrants are causing turmoil in American cities, leading to damage and injuries.
Many young students and individuals participating in these demonstrations seem to lack a clear understanding of the reasons behind their protests.
It is important to keep these types of activities separate from educational institutions. While students have the right to express their opinions, doing so during school hours, especially through acts of disobedience and leaving classes, should result in suitable disciplinary actions.
Education at the elementary and high school levels should be free from political bias; students are likely already exposed to a range of political perspectives at home and through media.
Many individuals in this generation face fundamental challenges, such as understanding their own identities, let alone comprehending complex political issues. Perhaps after completing their education, both young men and women should contemplate military service to develop a greater appreciation for what this country has done for freedom, rather than engaging in demonstrations that seek to obstruct the expulsion of unlawful immigrants.
It is noteworthy that there was minimal protest during the eight years of the Obama/Biden administration when millions were deported.
Furthermore, many high school and college students lack essential historical knowledge, such as the causes and key figures of the American Revolutionary War or the geographical features of their own country (for instance, which oceans border the East and West Coasts of the U.S.). This underscores a troubling decline in our educational system.
Lou Walker
Cape Coral