Some Bellefonte Area High School students participated in the National School Walkout movement on Friday, but they didn’t cut class.
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Superintendent Matt Seaton OK’d the Friday morning assembly, which spoke against school violence, but he said students who walked out of classes to protest will be subject to discipline under the school’s unexcused absence policy.
“We have got to get these legislatures out that refuse to do nothing about the gun violence that is happening in our schools”, Candice Burgess, president of the Democratic Women’s Club of Bay County, said. “After this day, we will still be here and we will still be fighting for what we want”, said Freshman Cam McWilliams.
The day was partially chosen as April. 20 marks the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold opened fire throughout the school, killing 12 students and one teacher.
Students began planning the demonstration after the shooting at at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida in February.
Students from all over the Capital Region renewed their demand for gun safety on Friday.
High school students from Foothill, East, Highland, Centennial and South are leading the walkout effort locally. The Ocala Star Banner newspaper said one student shot another in the ankle.
Capitol Park fell silent as students remembered the 13 victims of Columbine.
FOREST CITY | Around 160 Forest City students participated in National Walkout Day Wednesday… “I’m proud of their actions, whether they’re walking in or walking out”, Bass said.
A town hall in the Cordell Hull Building is planned for 4 p.m.
“We understand what has happened in the past, especially with Columbine”.
One of the event’s organizers, freshman Emelina Aubeneau, says she’s not able to vote yet-so she’s doing whatever she can to help until then.
“The question we all need to be asking, how many more?”
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Multiple students shared messages of empowering youth and speaking about the future of the country.
