Thousands Of Students Across South Florida Stage A Walkout To Protest The Inaction Following The Parkland Shooting
Thousands of students in Florida and around the country have walked out of class on Wednesday in protest of the Parkland shooting and to put pressure on politicians to create stricter gun laws.
Around 10 a.m., students attending schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties in Florida left their classrooms in solidarity with the survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 students and staff members were killed by a former student with an AR-15, reported CNN.
Outside of Florida, students in Montgomery County, Maryland, marched from the classroom to the U.S. Capitol in demand of tougher gun laws.
A walkout at Western High School in Florida featured signs listing recent mass shootings, the number killed and the date in which it happened.
Students walked and chanted while holding signs that read #NeverAgain — the student movement against gun violence started by Douglas High School survivors.
Images captured the historic numbers of students who participated in the walkout
The unification of students across county lines and states is inspirational, to say the least
Although the students received support across the nation, school officials threatened any participants with suspension
"Life is all about choices and every choice has a consequence whether it be positive or negative. We will discipline no matter if it is one, fifty, or five hundred students involved. All will be suspended for 3 days and parent notes will not alleviate the discipline," Superintendent Curtis Rhodes said in a statement posted on the Needville High School Facebook page.
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Despite the possible suspension they face, students cornered Florida lawmakers and chanted "shame on you"
Outside the Florida House chamber, students demanded officials to "serve your public, not your pockets"
One gripping speech from a survivor detailed the horrific moment when he texted his parents goodbye
Another walkout is scheduled for March 14, and a march on Washington, D.C., is being planned for late March.
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