Black silhouette drawing of a gun with a red circle around it with a line through it signifying "no"

March 14, 2018 marks one month since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left 14 students and 3 staff members killed and many others wounded or injured. Women’s March Youth EMPOWER is calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes (in honor of the 17 lives taken in the tragedy in Parkland) at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods.  

 

We, the students at South High School, have decided that this moment is too crucial and this issue too urgent to stand idly by. Our school and the South Side has fallen victim to gun violence in the past weeks and we need to stand together as a community to demand safer schools and safer neighborhoods. On March 14th we will march out of the building to the football field. We will have a moment of silence to honor the 14 students and 3 teachers that were killed in the Parkland, Florida shooting in addition to a short rally. Following the rally, community members are invited to join us inside the school to discuss what actions can be taken next.

 

“I’m marching out of my school on March 14th to protest the actions that are going on in our neighborhood and to show that change is needed to try and stop all of the mass shooting and murders that are happening in our school and on the streets every year in this country” said Junior South High student Serina Dweh. “I’m also protesting Congress's inaction to do more to keep kids safe while at school and in our neighborhoods. As students who live on the South Side and attend South High School, we have been directly affected by gun violence in our community. We want to show the family and friends of the 17 victims that were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, that they are not alone and that together we can make a difference. They will continuously be in our prayers, but we also demand change. In order for change to happen, we all have to stand together and make it happen. Stricter gun laws equals safer communities for us all.”

 

We are walking out for ALL people who have experienced gun violence, including systemic forms of gun violence that disproportionately impact teens in Black and Brown communities. It is important that when we refer to gun violence, we do not overlook the impact of police brutality and militarized policing, or see police in schools as a solution. We also recognize the United States has exported gun violence through imperialist foreign policy to destabilize other nations.

We raise our voices for action against all these forms of gun violence. We students and our allies are organizing the school walkout to demand Congress pass legislation to protect us. We are not safe at school. We are not safe in our cities and towns. We need action. It is our elected officials’ jobs to keep us safe and pass federal gun reform legislation that will address the public health crisis of gun violence. We want Congress to pay attention and take note: many of us will vote this November and many others will cast their ballots in 2020. We will have a voter registration table set up for those who will be 18 by the November election.

WHO:


CONTACT:

The students of South High School


Serina Dweh

Phone Number: 716.313.4752


WHAT:


#Enough School Walkout


WHERE:


South High School (1160 Ann St, Columbus, OH 43206)

Students will march out of the East doors to the football field at 10:00am where a 17 minute rally will begin honoring the 17 victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting. Those wishing to attend may sit on the bleachers. Following the rally, community members are invited to join students inside the school until 10:55am.


WHEN:


March 14th, 2018 at 10am

 

BACKGROUND:

 

On the afternoon of February 14, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen people were killed, making it one of the world's deadliest school massacres. Women’s March Youth EMPOWER was founded after the 2016 election to encourage youth to organize around issues in our communities and build collective power. Women’s March Youth EMPOWER called for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018.