CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Over the past few days, students from across the Central Valley have walked out of their classrooms and into the streets to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Students walked out in Fresno, Madera, and Clovis on Friday.

Dulce Alvarado, a Clovis West graduate, says the protests reflect concerns within the community.

“They’re being very discouraging to the community,” Alvarado said. “Making them afraid over something that they shouldn’t be, especially when a lot of people are wrongfully detained.”

Fresno, Madera, and Clovis Unified school districts say they support students’ freedom of expression but do not approve of mass walkouts into the streets.

“Due to increased concern for students’ physical safety, it is no longer safe for students to protest in the street,” Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Herr said.

Madera Unified officials echoed those concerns, saying when students leave campus without permission, the district is unable to provide supervision.

In Clovis, Clovis West High School students marched nearly two miles to River Park.

Alvarado says some students were threatened with disciplinary action for participating.

Kelly Avants with Clovis Unified says students may be penalized for truancy, but students’ freedom of expression is protected under state law and will not result in punishment if students follow proper procedure.

“California Education Code allows for a prior notification absence being excused for the purpose of self-expression. One day a school year,” Avants said.

Avants says students are encouraged to protest on campus in ways that align with school policy.

On Saturday, Fresno County superintendents released a joint statement, calling for an end to off-campus walkouts and encouraging parents to speak with their kids about off-campus safety risks.