Students across the country are walking out of class in protest in hopes of having their voices hear.
A civil rights lawyer with ACLU Texas said students have First Amendment rights, however, they could still be punished for participating.
“Any act of civil disobedience could result in punishment. By definition, you're disobeying a rule or a law,” said Edgar Saldivar.
Saldivar said while students’ rights still apply in the classroom, schools in Texas have rights too.
“Schools do have right to discipline students for being absent from class,” Saldivar said.
Absences include stepping out for protests or marches.
“What is against the law, and would violate the first amendment, would be for the school to pose a harsher penalty on students who decide to protest or to march than they would for any other student who skips school,” Saldivar explained.
Saldivar said he hopes teachers use the protests as learning opportunities.
“We want students to be contributing, informed members of society, and the best way to express your citizenship is by exercising your rights," Saldivar said.
Saldivar added schools can discipline students if the protests are disruptive to class.