Thousands Join Salem All-Schools Walkout as Police Monitor Clashes and District Warns of Unexcused Absences

SALEM, Ore. — Amid a significant Police presence, a planned “All-Schools Walkout” on Friday was largely peaceful despite occasional brushes between protesters and counter-protesters. However, students may receive “unexcused absences” when they return to school.

No Serious Incidents During Friday’s Salem All-School Walkout

Students from many Salem-Keizer middle and high schools participated in coordinated walkouts throughout the city to protest immigration enforcement actions during Friday’s “All-School Walkout,” organized and sponsored by Latinos Unidos Siempre (LUS).

The event, which was monitored by Salem Police personnel, including officers from the Mobile Response Team and Traffic Team, ended at the Oregon State Capitol.

More officers were dispatched after Willamette Valley Communications Center received several calls reporting groups of students marching in various locations around the city and blocking traffic.

Oregon State Police and Salem officers were present to monitor protesters and counter-protesters throughout the event.

Officers periodically engaged with the participants, directing them back onto the sidewalks to maintain traffic flow and ensure public safety.

During the event, several vehicle traffic stops were conducted after safety violations were observed, for example, passengers hanging out of vehicles. Citations were issued where appropriate.

By 12:30 p.m., an estimated 2,000 participants had gathered on the Capitol grounds. The counter-demonstrators eventually moved towards 12th Street and Center Street, and a disturbance was created when a large group of students engaged with them.

A Salem patrol vehicle was briefly surrounded, and water bottles were thrown toward the counter group before counter-demonstrators fled the area as demonstrators pursued them. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were made at that time.

At about 2:00 p.m., participants marched around the Oregon State Capitol without incident. After the event ended at approximately 4:00 p.m., officers responded to a reported fight in the 300 block of Cottage Street NE. None of the people involved wanted to pursue charges or identify themselves as victims at that time.

Salem “All-Schools Walkout” Students Can Expect An Unexcused Absence Note

As Oregon districts deal with a wave of student walkouts, official communication indicates that students can protest, but if they don’t show up for school or return to class, or if they leave campus or miss class, an unexcused absence will reflect on their school attendance record.

The district also confirmed that schools cannot supervise off-campus marches.

Principals also warned that staff can’t monitor or supervise students during a non-school event held off campus. The district indicated that students who leave campus and do not return to class would receive an “unexcused absence.”