Students at Evanston Township High School are planning a mass walkout on March 14 in support of gun legislation in the wake of the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Evanston Now has learned that the student senate is soliciting suggestions from the ETHS student body for actions they might take in concert with other schools in the area.
The March 14 walkout is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m., according to information received.
The student senate is inviting students to attend a planning session at the school this week to brainstorm some action steps in support of the protest effort.
Students at schools all across the country are organizing similar efforts to put pressure on state and federal government leaders to take steps that would discourage mass shootings at schools and elsewhere.
The issue is likely to be the subject of public comment at tonight’s meeting of the District 202 School Board at 7:30 p.m. at the school, located at Dodge Avenue and Church Street.
A better action
It would be much better to have a march or even better a protest outside the office of a Congressman or other official who is against gun control—if marchers or protesters can agree on what they want.
A walk out of the school does not help–do they think they are punishing the school ? Some residents are likely to write off a walk out as ‘that is just what kids do’ and may even turn them off.
In fact protests or marches here or else where would be wise to have to groups. One high school through college and another adults. The first group is likely to not trust adults, so adults marching with them would raise issues. Adults may not think the younger group is mature enough and [as we see in Evanston–esp. NU—will march for anything. Having two group may eliminate these issues for marchers and the larger community.
We can quibble
But the fact that the students (the vast majority of them) that choose to protest and exercise their civic right and duty to express their views on what is best for the public interest is a praiseworthy act. Yes, some of them will “protest” to get out of school. But they’re young. We should support their efforts rather than rather than diminish it. Being active in public policy may be the catalyst for our future civic leaders, and may trigger (pardon the pun) a new motivation to do well academically.
Try to remember back when you were a teenager. As David Bowie sang:
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re going through
NATIONAL School Walkout
First I am so proud of ETHS and their participation. I would however like to remind everyone that this is a NATIONAL school walkout and that thousands of schools—from elementary all the way through higher education—have announced their plans to participate. There are even schools in Israel, Ireland and Canada who have pledged support. So, for anyone who thinks this is a solitary stunt, think again. This is so important and relevant to who they are; their lives are on the line. It is their right to stand up and be heard.