Students at John Jay High School on Tuesday held a walkout and counter-protest on campus after they say a culture of hatred has developed within the Wappingers Central School District.

Organizers from the Defense of Democracy told News 12 that transgender students have been victimized for several years and they have been asking the administration for support. The protesters gathered after eighth period following a petition targeting transgender students.

"It is not enough to just stand up with trans students, we must fight their oppressors,” said one of the organizers.

Wappinger Falls Central School District Superintendent Dr. Dwight Bonk in a statement said:

"The District was made aware of multiple social media posts regarding the issue of access to restrooms by transgender students at John Jay High School over the course of the past weekend. Under state and federal laws (including Title IX and New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act), school districts are required to provide access to transgender students to the restroom of the sex with which they identify, which may not be the student’s sex assigned at birth. The District is fully aware of its obligations to its transgender population (as well as to the entirety of the student body) under these laws and remains fully committed to protecting these students and ensuring that they can safely access these rights. The District took appropriate measures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the student body, as well as the community at large. A protest did occur on campus that involved approximately 20 students that was peaceful and concluded without incident. I was personally present at the school during the protest and the students had the opportunity to exercise their free speech rights to express their positions in a manner which is both respectful, safe, and in accordance with the requirements of the School District and governmental authorities. The District will continue to support ALL of our students' rights and follow New York State and Federal Regulations."