Two junior high students who allegedly threw items at police during school walkouts while protesting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Mesa were apprehended on Friday, authorities said.
Their school, Poston Junior High, was among many in the Valley that took part in the walkout on Friday.
According to Mesa Police Department spokesman Jose Aguirre, one female pupil will be booked into a juvenile detention facility for allegedly assaulting an officer after being seen throwing items at police.
According to Aguirre, an officer “placed her on the ground to gain control” but did not tackle her after the alleged assault.
The other student was released and will be transferred to the county juvenile court.
“The Mesa Police Department supports the right to peaceful protest. However, reckless driving, traffic obstruction and throwing objects at officers will not be tolerated, as these actions endanger the community and our officers,” the department said in a statement Friday afternoon.
“Any driver operating a vehicle recklessly will be stopped, and the vehicle will be towed for 20 days,” it continued. “Individuals who obstruct traffic or throw objects will be subject to enforcement action.”
Police provided no other information regarding the incident.