An 18-year-old man was arrested on Feb. 10 for making threats on social media against a planned student walkout at Bay View High School, according to Milwaukee police.
The walkout, which occurred as scheduled on Feb. 11 despite Principal Jeff Gaddis encouraging students to cancel the event, was in opposition to the country’s immigration policy and the increasing presence of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in cities.
Police said a threat was made against the protest on Feb. 6 for a planned protest on Feb. 11. Gaddis wrote in a Feb. 10 email to families and staff that the threat was one of gun violence not directed at the school or building, but at the walkout.
Police said charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.
The man is not a student at the high school. Milwaukee Public Schools also confirmed the suspect is not an MPS student in general.
Gaddis wrote that as a precaution, police had extra officers on site to protect students and their First Amendment rights.
“We know that these situations can be concerning. If your child needs assistance, please contact the school office to be connected to the school counselor, nurse, psychologist, or social worker,” Gaddis wrote, adding that staff should utilize the Employee Assistance Program for help.
Several Milwaukee area schools had planned walkouts in recent weeks to protest the government’s immigration tactics.
This story was updated to add new information.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man arrested for social media threats against walkout at Bay View High School
Reporting by Drake Bentley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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