Walsh urges students against staging anti-Trump walkout

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh urged Boston Public Schools students to push off a planned walkout and instead protest President-elect Donald Trump’s administration outside of school hours.

Students are planning to walk out of classes at 1 p.m. today. Both Walsh and Boston Public Schools have said they support students’ rights to protest, but not if it interferes with school.

“I just think that during school hours — right now, this early in the year – I just don’t think it’s needed today. I think they can do it after school. I think there are ways of doing it,” Walsh said Monday morning in an interview with Boston Herald Radio.

More than 800 students have said they would leave classes, according to the event Facebook page.

“Donald J. Trump will be the next president of the United States and we have the right to protest and stand together against the inexcusable statements he has made about, and the harmful policies he promises to enact against, immigrants, Muslims, black Americans, the disabled, the LGBTQ+ community and women,” organizers wrote in the event description.

According to the itinerary listed, students will walk out of classes and convene at the gazebo in Boston Common by 2 p.m. before marching first on the State House to demand a meeting with the governor and then to Boston City Hall for a meeting with Walsh.

Students list of demands include protection of public education, vulnerable students and families and denouncing the appointment of Steve Bannon.