WEST LINN, Ore. — Students at West Linn High School walked out of class Friday morning because of a Chick-fil-A food cart at home football games.
For years, the company’s owner has faced criticism for donating to anti-LGBTQ groups that oppose gay marriage. For many students, the walkout went beyond food. Some students said they don’t feel safe at school.
Over the last couple of weeks, students said they've seen an increase in bullying. A student who identifies as transgender recently had their car vandalized. Students with West Linn’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance held a walkout so they could bring attention to some of the things they’ve been dealing with.
Susie Walters, who helped plan the walkout, said she’s seen more bullying.
“Hate crimes and harassment. We're not going to stand for that anymore and we're going to make sure school is a safe place for everyone and we’re not going to take it anymore," Walters said.
There was a group of freshman who planned a counter-walkout. KGW tried talking with them, but a spokesman with the district told us he didn’t feel comfortable having students on camera without permission from their parents.