Students gets protest walk-out suspension reduced

They were suspended for walking out, protesting poor conditions inside and showing support for their teachers.

Now the students at one Detroit high school are getting to go back to class.

A judge didn't discipline Detroit Public School teachers after they were accused of  "sickouts" protesting working conditions. 

Yet about 80 students at Communication and Media Arts High School who showed support for those teachers, got a five-day suspension. 

"The bathrooms in the school, they leak," said Jonathan Jackson, a freshman. "Holes in the wall. Mushrooms growing out of the walls, rats and roaches. It is not a very good environment for us to learn in.

"We don't even have enough books to go around for everybody."

Now the students are being supported, By Any Means Necessary, and others who don't like the suspensions.

Activist Jose Alvarenga from  By Any Means Necessary, was out circulating petitions for the suspended students.

And Tuesday, that 5-day suspension was reduced to a 1-day suspension.  The students can claim a victory but they don't want any suspension.  

"I think the suspension is going a little too far," said  Xavier Ivery, a freshman protestor. "I think they should reduce the suspension to nothing because of freedom of speech."

And if the Principal doesn't resend the suspensions, another protest is planned for Wednesday.

"If she refuses (to rescind the suspensions) then we're calling for a walk-out of the entire school," said Alvarenga. "To walk out and stay out to defend the rights of the students."