RJUHSD walkout Friday afternoon planned over LGBTQ group removal from campuses

A rally and school walkout to protest against Roseville Joint Union High School District's (RJUHSD) decision March 20 to remove The Landing Spot from their campuses is scheduled for Friday, according to the Parents for Social Consciousness group. Parents for Social Consciousness describes itself as "a Nor-Cal progressive, humanist, inclusive and advocacy-focused parenting and community space." The group announced the walkout on social media March 25. "RJUHSD has made it abundantly clear that they don't center, hold dear, hear the voices of, or value LGBTQIA+ youth student safety nor the maintaining of nor expansion of much-needed resources for our queer youth," the group said in a Facebook post. The Landing Spot is a non-religious support group for LGBTQ+ youth and their parents in Placer County, according to their website. After the Project Veritas organization released a viral video March 19 that focused on the leader of The Landing Spot, Rev. Casey Tinnin, Roseville Joint Union High School District, Placer Union High School District and Western Placer Unified School District removed Tinnin's group from all their campuses. Tinnin, also the leader of Loomis Basin United Congregational Church, said that the video was "highly-edited" and that his statements were taken out of context. Friday's walkout is planned from noon to 2 p.m. on the sidewalk in front of the Roseville Joint Union High School District office, 1750 Cirby Way, Roseville. "We will respect each student's right to peacefully express themselves if they choose to participate," said Roseville Joint Union High School superintendent John Becker, March 30. Gold Country Media asked Becker if RJUHSD would consider bringing back The Landing Spot. "As of today, there has been no discussion with The Landing Spot regarding their services or placement on any of our school campuses," Becker said. Other district staff said they are unsure of how many people will protest. "We don't know how many community members or students might participate in this rally, but nonetheless, we want to be prepared. I've already met with our SRO (school resource officer) and admin to review our safety protocols," said Oakmont High School Principal Isabel Govea in a letter sent to Oakmont staff March 29. Govea added that any student absences would be treated as attendance issues and not disciplinary issues. Member of Tinnin's organization followed at Sierra College Sierra College issued a statement March 28 after one of their community members said they were followed and threatened the day before for their work with the LGBTQ community. The student works for the Loomis Basin United Congregational Church. The report read, "Tuesday, a man followed a Loomis UCC staffer onto Sierra College campus. The student works in the kids' daycare at the church. The man approached the staffer and asked if their name was 'xxxxx.' The man then said, 'you're poisoning the minds of kids and now we know where you go to school.'" In response, Sierra College said in the community member's defense, "Sierra College is a safe place for LGBTQIA+ individuals, and we are committed to providing protection in every way possible against harm. As part of our core values, we are committed to maintaining and supporting a safe and inclusive environment. We uphold and value freedom of speech and expression, and we choose as a college community to reject hate speech and provide support for one another." As a result of the March 27 incident, Sierra College will host an "open community space" from 3:30 to 5 p.m. April 12 inside the cross-cultural center building (J-8) for students who may be struggling to cope with the news or experiencing stress, anxiety, grief or fear."