Students are planning a sit-in (at 9 a.m.) and a walkout (around 1:15 p.m.) on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020 to protest the ‘voluntary resignations’ of Paul Danforth and Michelle Beattie, two LGBTQ teachers who were reportedly forced to resign because they are planning on marrying their same sex partners.

The sit-in will take place in the school hallways, and the walkout will happen outside the front of the building.

Organizers are asking that supporters plan on arriving early, possibly carpooling, and to please park OFF campus. Burien Police will be present to help direct traffic.

NOTE: We hope to live stream video from the walkout, so please “Like” us on Facebook here to get an alert for when we’re live.

“We want to ensure we have enough space in the front of the school AND our students will need to be able to leave at dismissal at 2:45 p.m. Again, come wearing your colors and bring those signs/flags.”

There will also be a protest at 9 a.m. at the Archdiocese of Seattle (710 9th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104).

“Come wearing your rainbow colors & holding your signs.”

Two hashtags have been created for this issue: #lancers4love and #justice4ourteachers.

Here’s an alert from the school:

“On Tuesday, we are anticipating disruptions to the learning environment. We are asking our teachers and staff to do their best to provide stability in the classroom. Around 9:00am, there is a planned student sit-in. The students have been told to leave the rooms and sit in the halls with signs in protest. Please encourage students to keep their signs respectful in their support without being personal or disrespectful. We ask students to attend their scheduled lunches, either A or B.

“Around 1:15 p.m., a walk-out in the front of the building is scheduled. Students may participate in both planned events without fear of reprisal.

“Our campus will remain closed per our nortnal operating procedures. Community members and parents will not be allowed inside the building to join the planned protests, but will be allowed to gather in the front of the building. We will have the Burien police on site to address the traffic issues that will occur as we do at any event because parking will be challenging.”

– Mike Prato, President and Nancy Bradish, Principal