National Walk Out Day

This past Wednesday, March 14th, 2018, students all over the nation who were driven by the idea that they should never have to run from guns again walked out of their classrooms to raise awareness about the issues of school safety and the impact of gun violence.

The nationwide march, organized by Women’s March Youth Empower, began at 10 a.m. Many marches lasted 17 minutes to represent each of the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

One hundred and fifty students at Pequannock Township High School decided to stand with others across the nation and show their support for the students of Stoneman Douglas High School. School administrators universally showed their support of student expression of free speech, adding that participants would not receive a consequence for participating in this 17 minute peaceful protest.

According to a letter sent by Principal Dr. Alicia Scelso, “The Pequannock Township school district administrators are aware that some students desire to participate while others prefer to not take part in this event. In response to the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, we met with student leaders and developed a series of activities and events to address student concerns and recognize those that lost their lives and those that are dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy.”

During every minute that went by senior Alex Roback read a name and small description of those who lost their lives.

The walkout was meant to commemorate the one-month anniversary of the shooting and to call on Congress to pass legislation that would increase safety measures through stricter gun control laws.