Hundreds of students from Miami Country Day, a private school in Miami Shores, take to the streets in the national students walkout protesting gun violence and honoring the 17 students and teachers that were killed last month at Marjory Stone Douglas High School on March 14, 2018 in Parkland, Fla.
Instead of a participating in the National School Walkout, a group of Winlock students plans to place ribbons on the fence near their high school this afternoon. The ribbons are meant to honor the 17 victims of the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Joana Barragan, one of the students organizing the event, said the ceremony will take place at 3:15 p.m and is open to the community. She said students have been in communication with the district’s administration about the event. The event is going on despite a a threat closing school Wednesday, it has been confirmed.
High school students across the nation walked out of school this morning as part of the National School Walkout. There are three major demands from this national movement: ban assault weapons, require universal background checks before gun sales and for Congress to pass a gun violence restraining order law. The last item would allow courts to temporarily disarm someone who showed signs of violent behavior.
The walkout began this morning at 10 a.m. eastern time and continued across the nation at 10 a.m. in each time zone.
Yesterday, Chehalis School District Superintendent Ed Rothlin said students at W.F. West High School did not plan to stage a walkout.
“We’ve been discussing it,” Rothlin said. “Our administrators have been talking to student leadership and there is nothing planned at this time.”
Parents subsequently notified The Chronicle that some students did at least attempt to walk out. (This story will be updated.)
Rothlin said that while he supports students’ first amendment rights, he hopes students decide prior to 10 a.m. if they plan to stage a walkout.
“Then we can work together with students so it can be organized and safe,” Rothlin said.
Centralia School District Superintendent Mark Davalos said yesterday he was aware of the national movement.
“If we think we need to, we’ll be ready,” Davalos said. “Students always have a first amendment right to speech. Hopefully, they will reach out to administration and talk about their intent so we can do it in a way to keep them safe.”
A post to Facebook by Centralia High School this morning indicated some students did hold an event.
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This story will be updated.
