Student newspaper instructs 12-year-olds how to respond to getting arrested at BLM protest

MINNEAPOLIS (TND) — A student-run Minneapolis middle school paper published a guide on “protest tips and etiquette.” The section teaches children how to “take to the streets” for Black Lives Matter.

Among the “advice for protesters” published in Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education’s “Rhino Report,” is what to do if you’re arrested and held longer than 48 hours, and how to protect yourself from tear gas. It also has specific instruction on appropriate behavior for white attendees of Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests.

"After the murder of Amir Locke at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department on Tuesday February 2nd, many of us are--and have been--taking to the streets to protest this injustice," the paper published.

Specifically referencing BLM protests, the publication tells white students who wish to attend a BLM protest, “if they’re offering the megaphone for anyone to speak, it’s not for you.”

The guidance also offers tips on protecting yourself from tear gas, how to determine if you are being arrested and what to do if you are.

“In case you get arrested, write the contact numbers of both your parents/guardians and local legal aid organizations on your arm in Sharpie,” the guide continues, instructing to “put hairspray over it so it lasts longer.”

“Wear nondescript clothing,” it continues. “Even if you aren’t breaking the law, law enforcement may still try to come after you, in these situations it’s better to be paranoid than careless.”

In an emailed statement, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) told The National Desk (TND) that it values and encourages student voices.

"The Rhino Report newsletter is a student publication that was written by students in an after-school community education program," the statement said. "The publication represents the viewpoints of students, very similar to an editorial written for a newspaper."

The district went on to tell TND that the guidance published in the Rhino Report "was not written within the context of the school day, for an MPS class, nor is the project part of MPS curriculum," reiterating "it is written by students in an afterschool program."

Erika Sanzi, the Director of Outreach for nonprofit Parents Defending Education, which says it empowers concerned citizens to become more engaged in the U.S. education system, said it was inappropriate to be providing protest advice to 12-year-olds.

“Especially when it is for particular causes and varies based on students’ race,” Sanzi told TND.

Sanzi also said it was problematic that this was done behind the backs of parents.

“Even if the newsletter is technically a publication of a community after school program and not Justice Page Middle School, the name of the school is on the cover, and it was distributed to students at the school.”