Hundreds of Students at Military Base Schools Walk Out to Protest Trump Administration's Anti-Diversity Policies

[James48]

Source: Military.com

Hundreds of military children who are students at Defense Department schools across the globe walked out of class Thursday to protest book bans, curriculum changes and restrictions on extracurricular activities that have resulted from the Trump administration's crackdown on diversity.

The walkouts, which included about a dozen schools on U.S. military bases in Europe, Asia and at least one stateside, represent the biggest collective action military children have taken since the start of the Trump administration to demand a voice in their own education after similar, smaller-scale walkouts in February and March.

And the protests happened despite a warning from defense officials and school principals that participating in widespread school walkouts could mean unexcused absences, detention and restrictions on sports participation.

"The message that we're trying to send is pretty much that we're here and we're going to fight for what we believe in, especially when it comes to our education and whatnot, because our education is the basis of our future," Payton, a 10th grader at Lakenheath High School in England who helped organize the walkouts, told Military.com in a phone interview.

"Our parents are actively fighting for our country for us to be able to have these rights," added Payton, who asked to be identified only by his first name out of fear of retaliation.

Payton said he was aware of at least 503 students at 10 schools in Europe, Asia and Virginia who participated in the walkouts. Students at four more schools were expected to participate as well, but he had not gotten a report from them as of Thursday afternoon.




Read more: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/04/10/were-going-fight-what-we-believe-military-kids-protest-diversity-crackdown-base-schools-worldwide.html

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God bless the young people

[IcyPeas]

1. He should've said his name was George

Payton, a 10th grader at Lakenheath High School in England who helped organize the walkouts ....

"...added Payton, who asked to be identified only by his first name out of fear of retaliation.

How many Payton's are at Lakenheath High aschool?

I wouldn’t give them any clues where to find me.

[COL Mustard]

3. Might be a middle name

But generally I would agree with you.

[COL Mustard]

2. I went to a DOD school in Germany

In the early 1970s. We’d have been in a lot of trouble if we’d had a walkout like this, and we’’d have been told that it would reflect on our fathers and their careers.

Good for these students for standing up for their convictions!!!

[yonder]

6. This DOD brat of the 60's agrees, 100%.

Whether dad wore stripes or hardware, any trouble that got back to their CO was a high crime.

Good on those kids.

[Redleg]

7. I too was in DoD schools in Germany

From 1972-1977. Lived at Thomas Jefferson Village in Worms and went to middle school in Mannheim.

[COL Mustard]

8. I was in Stuttgart

At Robinson Barracks. We had the big PX.

I enjoyed taking the bus out to Patch sometimes to see how the other half lived.

[Redleg]

16. For us it was the K-Town PX that was considered "big"

Golly, it was so long ago.

[COL Mustard]

17. I liked going back as an adult

We had a French PX in Karlsruhe and a Canadian one in Lahr.

It was cool seeing what other countries did with their militaries.

[Redleg]

19. I would like to visit the old haunts

just haven't made it back there. I even requested a posting to Germany but ended up staying stateside for my service. I guess they needed me here more to keep the commies out of the country.

[COL Mustard]

20. Reunification changed everything

Many of the place I served no longer exist or have been completely repurposed. It was cool getting to drive in the East when I was there last but that was a long time ago now.

[Simeon Salus]

4. A whole bunch of military parents just got fired from their jobs.

Coincidentally parents of "at least 503 students at 10 schools in Europe, Asia and Virginia who participated in the walkouts" are no longer required in their duties.

[democrank]

5. Enough silence.

Stand up and speak out now. I thank all these young folks from the bottom of my heart.

[displacedvermoter]

9. RAF Lakenheath was my first Air Force assignment

Great to see this. I would like to think their military parents will support them, who knows?

[Magoo48]

10. Now, we're getting somewhere. Go young people, be strong, make some noise..

[pfitz59]

11. My kids went to DODDS school

in Italy and Puerto Rico.

[Simeon Salus]

13. I grew up on duty stations in the Pacific.

Lived in the service until I was a teen. It was awesome, until dad retired and we had to move back to a highly segregated state.

Being a brat, embracing so many cool cultures, befriending others of various nationalities, exploring beautiful untrashed places, eating such amazing food, that was my childhood (because dad volunteered for WWII and stayed in the service for his 30).

Nobody in my jr high or high school had any experience outside their home town. Boring, hostile, resentful people.

[Simeon Salus]

14. Neurotic people, repressed people.

But I could see the difference without even knowing how.

[yonder]

18. Nice post, how true.

It's a big world out there. I'm glad to have learned valuable life lessons from living in other parts of it — especially at a young age.

[Wonder Why]

12. Even kids are brighter than repugs and Krasnov Clowns.

[róisín_dubh]

15. From just up the road from me

Lakenheath is pretty much the only reason I hear American accents in my neck of the woods