Please be reminded that information cited in quotes reflects the beliefs or opinions of the individual and may not be credible. 

Niles West junior David Ardelean reached out to fellow peers Monday evening, Feb. 7, through social media to organize a protest against Niles West’s decision to keep masks mandatory.

Earlier this week, a judge in Sangamon County, Illinois suspended Governor J.B. Pritzker’s mandate to require masks in school districts. According to superintendent Dr. Steven Isoye, District 219 is not part of the lawsuit and will maintain its current safety measures, including the mask requirement, for all students, staff and visitors. The district will monitor the appeals process and consult with district legal advisors before making changes. 

“I decided to set up this protest because [the mask mandate] expired Feb. 4. If you do your research it will show that on the Internet. I feel like it’s right because even though our name isn’t mentioned [in the lawsuit], it said in the court case that it was all Illinois schools, so I believe our mandate should be optional and not be mandated,” D. Ardelean said.

The ruling explicitly states that the defendants are temporarily restrained from “ordering school districts require the use of masks for students and teachers who occupy their buildings, if they object, except during the terms of lawful order of quarantine issued from their respective health department, in accordance with the IDPH Act.” It is currently unclear whether this court ruling also applies to school districts not involved in the lawsuit.  

Originally, the protest was set to take place outside the front entrance on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at 7:45 a.m., but few students were present outdoors. Inside, students who chose not to wear a mask were directed to the auditorium, where they were instructed to sit at least one foot apart.

“We have to fight as soon as possible for our rights,” D. Ardelean said.

“We were not wearing our masks and they told us that we couldn’t be in class or halls or anything and that if we’re not gonna use our mask that we have to be in the auditorium,” senior Jacey Schmalberger said.   

Others at West strongly disagree with the removal of the mask mandate.

“I believe that everyone has the right to protest against anything they believe is unjust, but when the matter of safety is the question then there’s nothing to protest. Compromising the health of others because of your ignorance and selfishness should not be tolerated. No one wants to wear these masks, but we do it to keep others safe,” senior Ibrahem Abdulla said.

Within the auditorium, students appeared to be neither masked nor socially distanced. Supervised by principal Dr. Karen Ritter, interim dean Larry Waites and dean Tim Dykes, students were advised to sit and do their homework without the use of their phones. The exact numbers of students who attended the protest was not communicated with the Niles West News, but when reporters visited the auditorium during period 2, at least 30 students were present.

Students regularly scheduled to attend study hall in the auditorium were moved to the Contest Gym. 

All students who participated in the protest were marked with an unexcused absence in the classes missed. The protesters were permitted to leave the auditorium whenever they wanted, as long as they followed West’s COVID protocol. According to an afternoon email from Ritter, student protestors were peaceful and “were directed to the auditorium from periods 1-5.”

Two seniors, Alexia Ardelean and Kathryn Saro, sent emails to their teachers about the unfairness of the mandate and why they chose to miss class. They wrote, “We highly dislike when our freedoms are imposed. Some may call it a bit much, but we, however, do not believe it fair to be forced to wear facial coverings proven to be ineffective. In efforts to exercise our first amendment, we have decided along with a few other students to join the protest taking place in the auditorium.” 

Meanwhile, other students believe missing school for this cause was unnecessary. 

“Personally, I think it’s really dumb that they are taking the time out of their day to [protest]. But I respect the right to do whatever you want and do what you believe in, good for them. But I do think it is really stupid that they are choosing to skip school and protest not wearing a mask…If you don’t care about masks, then don’t wear it. Protesting, skipping school all day is just stupid in my opinion,” sophomore Emin Alagic said.

Sophomore Alexandra Daniszewski protested today in hopes of making a change for her younger sibling, who attends an elementary school that requires masks. 

“I don’t feel like a child, especially at the age of eight or anyone who is younger than 10, [can] fully comprehend what is happening. I don’t think that my brother should be forced to go school wearing a mask because that’s not how a kid should know school. I just feel like he should be able to live a normal school life like I was able to at his age. I’m doing this for him even though it’s not doing much for his school,” Daniszewski said. 

According to the email from Ritter, the protest was peaceful and cooperative with the school, but the controversy escalated when students on both sides of the issue sparred on social media.

“Students exercised their right to peacefully protest, and we supported them. What we will not support is name calling, derogatory language, or insulting remarks toward others in person or on social media with people who do not share the same views,” Ritter wrote. “This is harmful to individuals and to our school community.”

Some of the disparaging comments directed at protestors included death threats.

“In regards to the death threats, it’s sad that a piece of fabric is making people this crazy to say they wish people were dead or wish harm on someone. Wearing a mask should be a choice along with the millions of choices people make [each] day…We are all humans and these death threats have got to stop this is bigger than COVID or any other form of mask wearing,” senior Marina Stellatos said.

The protesters came to an agreement amongst themselves before sixth period to disperse and recollect later in the week to organize another demonstration. Students either returned to their sixth-period classes or left the campus. 

Staff Writer Celina Saba and Editor in Chief Gloria Kosir contributed to this article.