Several Wright County schools will be joining high schools across the nation in a silent demonstration against gun violence Wednesday, March 14.
The walkout, planned for 10 a.m., is on the one-month anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjorie Stone Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It is the nation’s worst school shooting since Columbine, some 21 years ago.
The protest, according to students, will last from 10 a.m. to 10:17 a.m. – one minute for each child and teacher killed in the Parkland massacre.
Rogers High, St. Michael-Albertville High School, Buffalo High School, Elk River, Zimmerman and Orono/Maple Grove will all participate in the event.
Multiple districts have sent communication home to high school families, including ISD 728 and Osseo Schools. The resounding message is districts are allowing – but not outright supporting – the walkout, provided students demonstrate safely on the school property (those who leave school property will be given unexcused absences) and return to class at 10:18 a.m.
Organizers The Women’s March do have a motive behind the #Enough movement:
“We demand that Congress enact an immediate resolution declaring gun violence a public health crisis and dedicating federal funding to research solutions and implement violence intervention programs. We demand Congress recognize all forms of gun violence, including violence committed by police.”
Locally, students aren’t as interested in the political message, however, with one student telling NWCT, “It’s about remembering students, people like us, who were just at school on a normal day and didn’t come home.”