Recognizing the abject bigotry, misogyny, and reckless policy positions of Donald Trump, we Ruston High School Alumni do censure Ruston High School for sending a delegation to the presidential inauguration in honor of  Donald Trump, a man who is assuming the highest office in the land without receiving the majority or even a plurality of the popular vote. The message sent to the students is that the will of the people is unimportant if you agree with the results. The message sent to the world is that the students and alumni of Ruston High School are complacent regarding regressive policy and bigotry.

Additionally, this delegation can create a crisis of conscience for any member student who is morally opposed to a Trump presidency. Either that student elects to not be a member of the delegation and is ostracized by her/his peers or the student must remain silent for fear of retribution. The school is forcing students into a position of either derision or dishonesty. Either way, the school ought not facilitate a hostile environment for any student, regardless of a given administrator's political inclination.

This delegation is an embarrassment to the Alumni. While a non politicized field trip to the capitol would be unobjectionable, this petition is to make it known to the school that we, the Alumni, do not approve of the current delegation. If similar actions are taken in the future, we will be ready to stand opposed.