Woman Charged for Hyping High School Anti‑ICE Walkout in Group Chat

The co-owner of a South Carolina restaurant has been charged with contributing to the the delinquency of a minor after authorities said she encouraged students to participate in a walkout protest against officers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Dinah Marie Chollet, who co-owns the Knot Burger Pub in Summerville, was arrested on February 18. Authorities said she participated in a private group chat with students of Summerville High School about a planned walkout protesting ICE officers. The protest was scheduled for February 20.

Chollet also commented on Facebook earlier in February regarding the protest.

In a February 13 Facebook post Chollet wrote that she was proud of the students for using their voice. She is also known as Dinah Yo on Facebook.

"I let them know we had their backs and I directed them to a post that outlined the threats that had been made towards them, so they would be aware and stay safe," Chollet said. "After that I left the chat, that's it," she added.

After the arrest, Chollet said that she was not the only adult in that group chat. She said another adult was present during discussion about the walkout did not participate in the conversation.

"I spoke openly, and said what I had to say and exited the group," Chollet further explained. She said that if a discussion about the presence of adults in the group chat has to take place then, we should discuss the presence of all adults. Not only the one who was transparent. She also said " I am not hiding from anything, I have been honest from the beginning."

Chollet was released later on February 18 after she posting $1000 bond. Her initial court appearance is scheduled for April 14. It was not immediately clear whether she had retained an attorney.

According to a police report obtained by the Newsweek, a student of the Summerville High School alerted a school resource officer about the planned protest. The walkout was scheduled for February 20. A post promoting the event read "Melt ICE and Join Us," on Chollet's Facebook page.

Police said an officer had monitored the group chat since February 10. An organizer of the anti- ICE protest was identified and sought to recruit as many students as possible, according to the report.

The organizer said the plan was to disrupt school activities while remaining peaceful. Students also suggested the school administration would be "too lazy to process any disciplinary action against the students," the report said.

The report said Chollet joined the group chat later on February 10. After introducing herself, she wrote that she was proud of the students. She also indicated that "a group of us" will participate in the walkout alongside them.

Police said members of the group expressed excitement and thanked her. Chollet continued to post comments from her personal Facebook account defending and encouraging the students.

Police said as a prominent business owner, Chollet's comments carried influence particularly among students participating in the anti-ICE protest.