Thousands of Georgia students intend to walk out of classes Friday in protest of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.

Atlanta area school districts, however, have issued warnings of disciplinary action against students who leave class to participate.

The protests are part of a “National Shutdown,” an organized event asking Americans to skip school, stay home from work and not shop to show anger over ICE’s operations in Minneapolis and across the country. The event was organized by a coalition of student groups.

“The people of the Twin Cities have shown the way for the whole country — to stop ICE’s reign of terror, we need to SHUT IT DOWN,” according to the event’s website. “On Friday, January 30, a nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping. Vote NO to ICE funding.”

More than 100 Georgia schools expected to participate

According to a list maintained by the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Atlanta, more than 100 schools in Georgia are expected to participate in the walk out today.

Walk outs are scheduled throughout the day, which was scheduled to begin with Stephenson High School, in Dekalb County, at 9:30 a.m. Some schools have given a specific time to walk out of class, while others have said the students would leave “after third period” or at another transition period during the day.

The walk outs are primarily planned for high schools, but colleges like Agnes Scott College, Emory University, GSU – Atlanta, GSU Armstrong, and the University of Georgia are also expected to protest.

A full list of participating schools, per the PSL Atlanta, can be found here.

Some schools in Georgia started walkouts earlier in the week.

PSL Atlanta will also be hosting a state-wide demonstration at 5 p.m. on Jan. 30 at 3360 Buford Highway NE, in northeast Atlanta.

Atlanta-area schools threaten disciplinary action

The students in many districts will be going against their schools if they choose to leave class on Friday.

Atlanta area districts, including Cobb and Dekalb County Schools, have warned students they could face disciplinary action for violating school policy.

“Students have the right to free expression; however, that expression must occur in a manner that does not disrupt instruction or compromise their safety or that of others,” Interim Superintendent of Dekalb County Schools said in a letter shared by Decaturish.

A spokesperson for the school later told the outlet administrators were concerned about safety, and that principals would meet with students to “clearly communicate these expectations and to outline safe, on-campus alternatives designed to support student voice while keeping campuses secure and instruction intact.”

In a message shared by Cobb County Schools, officials said “anyone who violates the Code of Conduct, including leaving class, skipping class, leaving authorized areas, unexcused absences and/or disrupting the instructional day, will receive consequences in accordance with District policies.”

These range from out-of-school suspensions to the loss of school privileges like parking, sports and extracurriculars. Cobb County told students this could impact their college admissions and future employment.

“Your teachers and principal are focused on teaching and learning. While we respect the right of students to express their views in a non-disruptive way, students are expected to be in class and engaged in learning throughout the school day,” the district said.

Similar messages in Cherokee and Calhoun County public schools were reported.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.

ATLANTA – Georgia is getting double the Groundhog Day fun this year, with not one — but two furry forecasters stepping into the spotlight on Feb. 2.

Groundhog Day 2026: What time will Punxsutawney Phil come out?

What we know:

Up in Cleveland, the spotlight will shine on Yonah the Groundhog at North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park. The park is hosting a special Groundhog Day event at 8 a.m., where Yonah will make his 2026 prediction: six more weeks of winter if he sees his shadow, or an early spring if he doesn’t. The event doubles as a visual feast for cameras, with appearances from the park’s baby honey badgers — Zena, Zelda and Zuri — plus one of its resident hedgehogs. Park staff say the morning will include live-streaming opportunities, interviews with animal care experts and plenty of photo ops.

Meanwhile, about an hour south of Atlanta, Georgia’s most famous groundhog will be doing what he’s done for decades. General Beauregard “Beau” Lee will make his annual prediction at Dauset Trails Nature Center in Jackson. Gates open at 6 a.m., with Beau’s big moment set for 7:30 a.m. Fans can grab food, drinks and souvenir shirts while waiting to see if winter sticks around or spring comes early.

By the numbers:

Beau isn’t just a local celebrity — he’s considered one of the most reliable groundhog forecasters in the country. A FiveThirtyEight analysis found Beau had a 63% accuracy rate over a recent decade, beating Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil. Dauset Trails officials even claim Beau’s accuracy is closer to 90%. Last year, both Beau and Phil called for an early spring, and Georgians will soon find out whether Yonah agrees — or starts a friendly forecasting rivalry of his own.

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