Georgia Democrats push bills to encourage student civic participation

Georgia Democrats held a press conference Tuesday announcing the Student Civic Participation and Encouragement Act, or House Bill 1239.

State Rep. Bryce Berry, D-Atlanta, said the bill allows students to have two days each year to miss class to engage in civic activity.

“When we were children, many of us were told something simple. Speak up. Stand up for what you believe in,” he said. “But somewhere along the way, we started sending a different message… We tell young people to care, we tell them to lead, we tell them that they are the future, but when activism and advocacy calls them out of the classroom for a moment, we penalize them for answering.”

State Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, introduced a companion bill in the Senate, Senate Bill 479, and clarified that this bill supports all students no matter what their political beliefs are.

“Civic engagement should never be treated like a disciplinary problem,” he said.

The legislation would set a statewide standard for public schools to allow students to engage in civic participation by granting them a set number of excused absences per year. Both bills have been assigned to its respective education committees.

The goal of the legislation is to prevent school districts from punishing students for engaging in protests or other forms of civic participation.

Alfred “Shivy” Brooks, a member of the Atlanta Public School Board and teacher in Clayton County, cited legislation in other states that allow students to engage in civic activity.

“Democracy is not inherited. It is practice. So let’s send a clear message to Georgia’s young people that your voice matters, your presence matters, and your participation matters,” he said.