NATIONAL SCHOOL WALKOUT LIVE: Students begin rally in solidarity to end gun violence

[smilesammich 10,727]

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Over 3,000 walkout events are registered, according to event organizers. The walkouts are across the nation, from Maine to Maryland, from North Dakota to North Carolina, from the White House to Washington state, and even in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The event, which began at 10 a.m. across every time zone, lasts 17 minutes -- one minute for each of the victims gunned down in the Feb. 14 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

"Remember why we are walking out," Stoneman Douglas survivor Lauren Hogg wrote on Twitter today. "We are walking out for my friends that passed, all children that have been taken because of gun violence. We are walking out for the empty desks in my classes, and the unsaid goodbyes. This epidemic of School shootings must stop."

In Washington, D.C., a huge crowd of chanting students gathered in front of the White House. Once the clock struck 10 a.m., the students silently sat down with their backs to the White House.

Even though most teenagers can't vote, "we just want the White House to hear us," Abby Silverman of Bethesda, Maryland, told ABC News outside the White House.

Kevin Butler told ABC News he came to the White House to "make sure there are stricter gun laws," and even though the president wasn't there during the sit-in, Kevin thinks their voices will be heard.

Women's March Youth Coordinator Tabitha St. Bernard Jacobs, one of the few adult allies guiding the students in the youth-led movement, told ABC News ahead of the event that while the walkout was sparked by the Florida school shooting, the event is about pressuring Congress to act against gun violence overall.

She said the walkout a way to shed light on the type of gun violence that exists not just in schools, but everyday gun violence, like shootings that impact minority communities or devastate cities like Chicago.

One student this morning held a sign that read, "Thoughts and prayers don't stop bullets."
 

http://abc7.com/national-school-walkout-live-students-begin-rally-in-solidarity-to-end-gun-violence/3214978/

[Boiler 46,034]

Perhaps they should make Schools gun free zones?

[smilesammich 10,727]

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We asked students across the country who planned to participate why they were doing so. Here are some of their responses:

“Seventeen people are dead and I am no longer willing to listen to politicians who deem my life less valuable than a piece of metal.” — Maya Homan, Palo Alto, Calif.

 

“On Wednesday, we plan to say the name, age and story of each of the victims, followed by a moment of silence. We’re doing this so that the students and faculty that were killed are not just remembered as numbers, but as people. Also, most people at my school feel separated from these tragedies, so giving them background information on the victims could help them feel more connected.” — Jessica Burg, Westchester County, N.Y.

 

“I am walking out of school on Wednesday because our president and Congress need to do more than just tweet prayers and thoughts.” — Beyoncé Brown, Philadelphia

 

“Students don’t get to voice their opinion very often and it’s thrilling to be one of the millions across the United States who will have that option. The students at Stoneman Douglas who have spoken out and become activists are incredibly inspiring.” — Katie Cummins, Louisville, Ky.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/14/us/school-walkout.html

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Here's hoping they don't do this for drug addiction,  else there won't be any more classes in session this year.

[smilesammich 10,727]

Just now, IDWAF said:

Here's hoping they don't do this for drug addiction,  else there won't be any more classes in session this year.

you might want to read over the demographic affected by the opioid crisis. it's not high school students. more like their parents.

[Boiler 46,034]

Spring Break here

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Just now, smilesammich said:

you might want to read over the demographic affected by the opioid crisis. it's not high school students. more like their parents.

True, heroin and such aren't ad readily available at the 8th grade level.  But many thousands of kids end up in the hospital each year from drug/inhalant abuse.  Far more than have ever been shot.

 

It's good the kids get to feel like they are making a statement for a minute.  Alas, I fear it will be as effective as the sands against the water.

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

40 minutes ago, smilesammich said:

http://abc7.com/national-school-walkout-live-students-begin-rally-in-solidarity-to-end-gun-violence/3214978/

The kids are smart enough to recognize that the adults and the current power structure is not going to do squat for them unless they raise their voice, take it to the streets, register and vote.  It is encouraging that they are not sitting back and being victims.

[Boiler 46,034]

9 minutes ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

The kids are smart enough to recognize that the adults and the current power structure is not going to do squat for them unless they raise their voice, take it to the streets, register and vote.  It is encouraging that they are not sitting back and being victims.

MJ was made legal in Colorado

[smilesammich 10,727]

1 minute ago, IDWAF said:

True, heroin and such aren't ad readily available at the 8th grade level.  But many thousands of kids end up in the hospital each year from drug/inhalant abuse.  Far more than have ever been shot.

 

It's good the kids get to feel like they are making a statement for a minute.  Alas, I fear it will be as effective as the sands against the water.

opioids isn't just heroin. and it would extremely negligent to act as if gun violence is not an issue just because drugs are an issue. in the real world we have to confront more than one issue at a time.

 

i was surprised that my son's school was supportive of the walkout, but they are. sands against the water huh. we'll see. 

 

[charmander 692]

I know it is not related today's discussion but who else watched Tony Montana-alike Florida state Rep. Elizabeth Porter's talk last week? I liked the part where she says "we has wisdom" in the end.

https://twitter.com/shannonrwatts/status/971856973095301120

 

[Amica Nostra 4,803]

6 minutes ago, Boiler said:

MJ was made legal in Colorado

apparently

[Boiler 46,034]

25 minutes ago, Il Mango Dulce said:

apparently

Actually

[smilesammich 10,727]

Just now, Boiler said:

Actually

still not legal for highschoolers though. wonder why they are choosing protest for great gun control over access to legal weed for themselves?

[smilesammich 10,727]

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Viacom Networks Suspend Programming in Solidarity With Student Walkouts

 

 

 

 

TWITTER/@NIKGAZ98

 

Television networks owned by Viacom—including MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central—took a stance Wednesday morning in support students walking out in protest of gun violence. The channels suspended regular programming for 17 minutes at 10 a.m. ET to “show solidarity with the school walkout,” and MTV’s social media was taken over by students participating in the nationwide walkout. 

 

 

https://www.thedailybeast.com/viacom-networks-suspend-programming-for-walkout-solidarity