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Wednesday walkout: students step out of class to spur action on gun control – live Wednesday walkout: students step out of class to spur action on gun control – live
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of students from the Washington DC-area skipped class on Wednesday to participate in a national day of protest against gun violence. The new generation of activists – many in their teens, but some even younger – gathered on the west lawn of the US Capitol to demand Congress pass significant gun control.
They carried wry signs, a selection of which included: “Bro, change our f*cking gun laws” and “My uterus is more regulated than your gun”. Other placards captured the urgency of the situation on school campuses: “Am I next?” and “How many more must die?” Many wore pins with a semiautomatic rifle crossed out.
At 11:15, Democratic lawmakers, including the minority leaders, emerged from the Capitol in a staged walk-out to show solidarity with the students.
“With this walkout today and your ongoing challenge to all of us, to the conscience of America, you are creating a drumbeat across America, a drumbeat that will echo until we get the job done,” House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi said to loud applause.
Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut and has been a leading voice in the gun control movement since 26 children and faculty were killed at Sandy Hook elementary school, told the crowd that on Tuesday his 6-year-old son cowered in the bathroom with classmates during a active shooter drill.
“That should never happen in the United States of America, no one should have to go through that,” he said.
Speaker after speaker – and there were many on this windy morning in Washington – praised the students activism, which they said was moving the debate despite difficult odds.
“There is no great social change movement in this country that has not been led by the youth of America,” Murphy told them, advising them that the movement will encounter setbacks. But, he said, “the ones that saw adversity and pushed through are the ones that we ready about in our history books.”
Students rejected some of the proposals being discussed in the wake of Parkland, including Donald Trump’s plan to arm teachers.
“We will not sit in classrooms with armed teachers,” said Matthew Post, a student at Sherwood High School in Maryland. “We refuse to learn in fear. We reject turning our schools into prisons. We will accept nothing less than comprehensive gun control. and if it’s what it takes, we will shame our national policymakers into protecting us.”
The press conference was invariably interrupted when Senator Bernie Sanders arrived on the lawn. Students who noticed the shock of white hair, complemented by a white puffer jacket, started shrieking and chanting “Bernie”. Their cries set of a stampede in the direction of the Vermont Senator, who was trying to make his way to the press conference to address the crowd.
Kids are literally running from the press conference to see @SenSanders pic.twitter.com/Fk6lLB7K3V
When he finally reached the podium, Sanders grabbed a bullhorn – because at this point the speakers were not functioning properly – and addressed the crowd.
“We are very proud of what you are doing,” Sanders said above wild cheers and applause. “You the young people of this country are leading the nation and the Congress is going to follow what you are doing.”
As he exited the event, at least a hundreds students follow him back toward the Capitol. And, outside the classroom, there was little anyone could do to regain the students’ attention.
The US is, of course, not the only country to experience mass shootings but political reaction to such violence has been muted compared to other countries.
Here, our correspondents in four other countries looked at the steps taken there to regulate gun ownership.
It’s not just students protesting today, medical workers are also taking a stand against gun violence.It’s not just students protesting today, medical workers are also taking a stand against gun violence.
In Boston, employees at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are showing their support for gun violence prevention.In Boston, employees at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital are showing their support for gun violence prevention.
“Physicians have a really strong voice here,” Dr Lachelle Weeks, an internal medicine specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told the Boston Herald. “We’re at the front lines when patients are injured by a gun, we take care of loved ones and usher them through the stages of grieving. ... So our voice is really strong in echoing that this is a public health crisis and something needs to be done about it.”“Physicians have a really strong voice here,” Dr Lachelle Weeks, an internal medicine specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, told the Boston Herald. “We’re at the front lines when patients are injured by a gun, we take care of loved ones and usher them through the stages of grieving. ... So our voice is really strong in echoing that this is a public health crisis and something needs to be done about it.”
One night doctor at Mass General showed his support early:One night doctor at Mass General showed his support early:
As a nocturnist, I’m sorry I can’t be there for the photo in support of gun violence prevention @MassGeneralNews today. So, showing my orange support from @MassGeneralEM tonight. pic.twitter.com/EMkXZpIXF1As a nocturnist, I’m sorry I can’t be there for the photo in support of gun violence prevention @MassGeneralNews today. So, showing my orange support from @MassGeneralEM tonight. pic.twitter.com/EMkXZpIXF1
At the Academy for Young Writers high school in Brooklyn, NY, students used the walkout to also draw attention to discrimination against people of color, women, and other groups.At the Academy for Young Writers high school in Brooklyn, NY, students used the walkout to also draw attention to discrimination against people of color, women, and other groups.
“It’s something terrible that happened to those students,” Nathaniel Swanson said of the pupils in Parkland, Florida. “I really empathize with them.”“It’s something terrible that happened to those students,” Nathaniel Swanson said of the pupils in Parkland, Florida. “I really empathize with them.”
“Our protest brings together many things and I do empathize with those in Parkland in Florida, but this is Brooklyn, East New York, and we have our own separate struggles and I wanted to advocate for that as well.”Nathaniel, 16, said East New York, which was one of the most violent neighborhoods in New York City in the 1980s and early 1990s, faces a range of problems, despite seeing something of a resurgence in recent years.“Our protest brings together many things and I do empathize with those in Parkland in Florida, but this is Brooklyn, East New York, and we have our own separate struggles and I wanted to advocate for that as well.”Nathaniel, 16, said East New York, which was one of the most violent neighborhoods in New York City in the 1980s and early 1990s, faces a range of problems, despite seeing something of a resurgence in recent years.
“We have policing [issues]. Not nearly as bad as in other places but we do have our issues. Discrimination in housing, workforce, gentrification is really getting bad in Brooklyn, gun violence, these are the things that happen in our community.”“We have policing [issues]. Not nearly as bad as in other places but we do have our issues. Discrimination in housing, workforce, gentrification is really getting bad in Brooklyn, gun violence, these are the things that happen in our community.”
Dyquan Waters, 14, said students “wanted to widen the horizon to make it more important than just gun control.”Dyquan Waters, 14, said students “wanted to widen the horizon to make it more important than just gun control.”
Many of the students also held signs referencing women rights, black lives matter, the dream act, and LGBTQ rights.Many of the students also held signs referencing women rights, black lives matter, the dream act, and LGBTQ rights.
“These were other topics that other students feel very strong about,” Dyquan said.“These were other topics that other students feel very strong about,” Dyquan said.
It’s just after 10am on the West Coast of the US, where Andrew Gumbel is monitoring protests in Orange County. Here’s his preview of the demonstrations in Huntington Beach:It’s just after 10am on the West Coast of the US, where Andrew Gumbel is monitoring protests in Orange County. Here’s his preview of the demonstrations in Huntington Beach:
Ronald Reagan once quipped that suburban Orange County, south of Los Angeles, is where Republicans go to die.Ronald Reagan once quipped that suburban Orange County, south of Los Angeles, is where Republicans go to die.
Now, though, it is one of the fastest-changing political landscapes in the US, as young people move away from their parents’ conservatism and a swelling immigrant population brings unprecedented diversity in all things, including politics.Now, though, it is one of the fastest-changing political landscapes in the US, as young people move away from their parents’ conservatism and a swelling immigrant population brings unprecedented diversity in all things, including politics.
Today, that younger generation is expected to turn out in force for the school walkout.Today, that younger generation is expected to turn out in force for the school walkout.
At Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, that walkout is not intended to make a partisan political statement, but the politics are hard to avoid in a district where the ultraconservative Republican incumbent, Dana Rohrabacher, looks increasingly vulnerable in November’s mid-term elections.At Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach, that walkout is not intended to make a partisan political statement, but the politics are hard to avoid in a district where the ultraconservative Republican incumbent, Dana Rohrabacher, looks increasingly vulnerable in November’s mid-term elections.
“What we want,” said Ethan Vella, an Ocean View senior who is organizing today’s protest, “is a safe space to talk about solutions in as nonpartisan a way as possible. We want legislators to take action to improve safety, not ust at our school but at all schools.”“What we want,” said Ethan Vella, an Ocean View senior who is organizing today’s protest, “is a safe space to talk about solutions in as nonpartisan a way as possible. We want legislators to take action to improve safety, not ust at our school but at all schools.”
Vella, an unabashed left-wing activist who previously organized a walkout in defense of undocumented immigrant, said his school shared a lot of characteristics with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida.Vella, an unabashed left-wing activist who previously organized a walkout in defense of undocumented immigrant, said his school shared a lot of characteristics with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida.
Both are in affluent suburbs characterized by lawns and mini-malls. And both have a student population that includes many well-off white students and many poorer students from a variety of ethnic and national backgrounds.Both are in affluent suburbs characterized by lawns and mini-malls. And both have a student population that includes many well-off white students and many poorer students from a variety of ethnic and national backgrounds.
Rohrabacher, who enjoys an A rating from the National Rifle Association, represents one of four Orange County congressional districts that the Democrats hope to capture in November.Rohrabacher, who enjoys an A rating from the National Rifle Association, represents one of four Orange County congressional districts that the Democrats hope to capture in November.
To the astonishment of many political observers, the county went blue for the first time in the 2016 presidential election, favoring Hillary Clinton over Trump by five percentage points. The expectation is that the blue wave will only grow.To the astonishment of many political observers, the county went blue for the first time in the 2016 presidential election, favoring Hillary Clinton over Trump by five percentage points. The expectation is that the blue wave will only grow.
“We don’t necessarily share the same values as our parents,” Vella said. “We believe in more equality and more rights for people. It’s a different mindset.”“We don’t necessarily share the same values as our parents,” Vella said. “We believe in more equality and more rights for people. It’s a different mindset.”
Guardian reader and photographer, Rick Leskowitz, has sent photos of students who braved snow in western Massachusetts to join the protests.Guardian reader and photographer, Rick Leskowitz, has sent photos of students who braved snow in western Massachusetts to join the protests.
These students at Mohawk Trail Regional high school in Buckland, Massachusetts appear to be in good spirits despite the snow.These students at Mohawk Trail Regional high school in Buckland, Massachusetts appear to be in good spirits despite the snow.
If you are a reader with photos from protests where you live, please send to amanda.holpuch@theguardian.com and I will try to fit them in the live blog.If you are a reader with photos from protests where you live, please send to amanda.holpuch@theguardian.com and I will try to fit them in the live blog.
More than five years ago, 20 first graders were murdered in their classrooms at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Today, children as young as the Sandy Hook victims are participating in walkouts protesting continued government inaction on preventing gun violence.More than five years ago, 20 first graders were murdered in their classrooms at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Today, children as young as the Sandy Hook victims are participating in walkouts protesting continued government inaction on preventing gun violence.
In Alexandria, Virginia, Naomi Wadler and Carter Anderson, both 11, spoke with Guardian US about organizing a walkout at their elementary school. More than 60 students walked out, some of them as young as in first or second grade, and stood in front of their school for 18 minutes, holding signs commemorating the victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting, and then falling silently to the ground.In Alexandria, Virginia, Naomi Wadler and Carter Anderson, both 11, spoke with Guardian US about organizing a walkout at their elementary school. More than 60 students walked out, some of them as young as in first or second grade, and stood in front of their school for 18 minutes, holding signs commemorating the victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting, and then falling silently to the ground.
How did you two end up organizing this walkout?How did you two end up organizing this walkout?
CARTER: After Parkland, me and my friend Matt, we went to the petition at the White House. Then Naomi came over and asked me the next day at school if I wanted to have a walkout with her, and I said yes.CARTER: After Parkland, me and my friend Matt, we went to the petition at the White House. Then Naomi came over and asked me the next day at school if I wanted to have a walkout with her, and I said yes.
NAOMI: After Parkland, I don’t remember where I heard it, it was kind of everywhere, that were a bunch of schools were going to do walkouts. And so I looked into it a little more, the meaning of the walkout, when they were going to do it, how long they were going to do it for. And I thought, hey, I want my school to do a walkout.NAOMI: After Parkland, I don’t remember where I heard it, it was kind of everywhere, that were a bunch of schools were going to do walkouts. And so I looked into it a little more, the meaning of the walkout, when they were going to do it, how long they were going to do it for. And I thought, hey, I want my school to do a walkout.
What message are you trying to send?What message are you trying to send?
CARTER: That we want school safety. So many people die, because our schools can’t be safe.CARTER: That we want school safety. So many people die, because our schools can’t be safe.
What’s been the most challenging part of organizing the walkout?What’s been the most challenging part of organizing the walkout?
NAOMI: In the beginning, our principal wasn’t completely supportive but by the second or third day of doing this, that week, he was completely supportive.NAOMI: In the beginning, our principal wasn’t completely supportive but by the second or third day of doing this, that week, he was completely supportive.
I think me and Carter can understand, because nobody expects a bunch of ten and eleven year olds to stand up and start walking out of the school buildingI think me and Carter can understand, because nobody expects a bunch of ten and eleven year olds to stand up and start walking out of the school building
CARTER: Also, in the class there’s been some parents that felt that we’re not old enough to know about it. Like, they think that just because were fifth graders we don’t know anything about what’s happening.CARTER: Also, in the class there’s been some parents that felt that we’re not old enough to know about it. Like, they think that just because were fifth graders we don’t know anything about what’s happening.
When do you remember starting to think about school shootings?When do you remember starting to think about school shootings?
NAOMI: I have grown up in an area where shooting aren’t the regular, but they don’t happen un-often. I started thinking about it probably this time. I’ve always thought about shootings in general, but then this is when I really started thinking about school shootings.NAOMI: I have grown up in an area where shooting aren’t the regular, but they don’t happen un-often. I started thinking about it probably this time. I’ve always thought about shootings in general, but then this is when I really started thinking about school shootings.
Have you organized something together before?Have you organized something together before?
CARTER: No, we’re just friends. I’m her neighbor.CARTER: No, we’re just friends. I’m her neighbor.
You held student meetings over two Saturdays to prepare for this. What did you talk about at those meetings?You held student meetings over two Saturdays to prepare for this. What did you talk about at those meetings?
NAOMI: We went over the expectations: that this was not recess time. You’re not doing this just because you want to get out of school. How we expect to be silent, how we’re not gonna chant, because we want learning in school to go on as normal. How if anybody chooses not to participate, not to give them a hard time. Because I go by, you don’t have to agree with people but you have to respect them.NAOMI: We went over the expectations: that this was not recess time. You’re not doing this just because you want to get out of school. How we expect to be silent, how we’re not gonna chant, because we want learning in school to go on as normal. How if anybody chooses not to participate, not to give them a hard time. Because I go by, you don’t have to agree with people but you have to respect them.
Is there big disagreement at your school about school shootings or gun violence?Is there big disagreement at your school about school shootings or gun violence?
CARTER: Most think that we should do this walkout, but there’s some people that don’t love the idea.CARTER: Most think that we should do this walkout, but there’s some people that don’t love the idea.
NAOMI: Some kids say their parents won’t allow them to do it. Their parents don’t agree with it.NAOMI: Some kids say their parents won’t allow them to do it. Their parents don’t agree with it.
What’s the plan for the protest today? You’re going to walk out silently?What’s the plan for the protest today? You’re going to walk out silently?
NAOMI: We’ve discussed having 18 people lie down. We changed our 17 minutes to 18 minutes for the school shooting in Alabama, where Courtlin Arrington was killed. So we’ve added 18.NAOMI: We’ve discussed having 18 people lie down. We changed our 17 minutes to 18 minutes for the school shooting in Alabama, where Courtlin Arrington was killed. So we’ve added 18.
Why was it important to include her?Why was it important to include her?
NAOMI: I think, well specifically me, I don’t know what Carter thinks, that specifically African-American women, when they are shot and killed, or when they are killed in general, their names aren’t remembered. So I thought it would be important to add an extra one minute.NAOMI: I think, well specifically me, I don’t know what Carter thinks, that specifically African-American women, when they are shot and killed, or when they are killed in general, their names aren’t remembered. So I thought it would be important to add an extra one minute.
CARTER: Everyone thought it would be a good idea to do. It’s the second school shooting [after Parkland]. She was studying to be a nurse. She could have saved people’s lives.CARTER: Everyone thought it would be a good idea to do. It’s the second school shooting [after Parkland]. She was studying to be a nurse. She could have saved people’s lives.
What have you heard from teachers about the walkout?What have you heard from teachers about the walkout?
NAOMI: Teachers, we’ve heard, have been told not to encourage or discourage us. So they’re kind of neutral.NAOMI: Teachers, we’ve heard, have been told not to encourage or discourage us. So they’re kind of neutral.
What kind of reaction do you hope to have from the rest of the United States and from adults watching these walkouts?What kind of reaction do you hope to have from the rest of the United States and from adults watching these walkouts?
NAOMI: I hope adults in general will realize, if they haven’t already, that this is a really big issue, and that innocent people have lost their lives, and that we should keep working harder and harder to make gun reform, to make school safety, a huge priority.NAOMI: I hope adults in general will realize, if they haven’t already, that this is a really big issue, and that innocent people have lost their lives, and that we should keep working harder and harder to make gun reform, to make school safety, a huge priority.
What is it like organizing an event like this? What are you feeling, watching all the kids preparing for this?What is it like organizing an event like this? What are you feeling, watching all the kids preparing for this?
CARTER: Nervous. Because some people, there’s always a small chance that somebody might act out during the walkout. But we’re trying to express our feelings.CARTER: Nervous. Because some people, there’s always a small chance that somebody might act out during the walkout. But we’re trying to express our feelings.
NAOMI: We’ve tried our best to make it clear if you’re going to be loud, I would advise you to go back to your classrooms, this is not what this is about.NAOMI: We’ve tried our best to make it clear if you’re going to be loud, I would advise you to go back to your classrooms, this is not what this is about.
Have you two done political activism before?Have you two done political activism before?
CARTER: I’ve gone to the Women’s March.CARTER: I’ve gone to the Women’s March.
NAOMI: I’m pretty sure that I haven’t done something like this before.NAOMI: I’m pretty sure that I haven’t done something like this before.
As students across the US walk off campus, link arms in the hallway and take a knee at school to protest gun violence, the story of one armed teacher who accidentally shot a student yesterday is circulating.As students across the US walk off campus, link arms in the hallway and take a knee at school to protest gun violence, the story of one armed teacher who accidentally shot a student yesterday is circulating.
The California teacher, a reserve police officer, accidentally discharged his weapon during a lesson about public safety and injured a male student, according to police.The California teacher, a reserve police officer, accidentally discharged his weapon during a lesson about public safety and injured a male student, according to police.
The weapon was pointed at the ceiling and debris fell and hit the student, not a bullet.The weapon was pointed at the ceiling and debris fell and hit the student, not a bullet.
“It’s the craziest thing,” the student’s father, Fermin Gonzales, told local TV news. “It could have been very bad.”“It’s the craziest thing,” the student’s father, Fermin Gonzales, told local TV news. “It could have been very bad.”
A high school in Sayreville, New Jersey, said it would suspend students who participated in the walkout. Instead, the school allowed students to gather in an auditorium on campus.A high school in Sayreville, New Jersey, said it would suspend students who participated in the walkout. Instead, the school allowed students to gather in an auditorium on campus.
One student, Rosa Rodriguez, walked out anyway, according to 1010 Wins radio.One student, Rosa Rodriguez, walked out anyway, according to 1010 Wins radio.
“If you were gonna come outside in the first place, you should have still came outside. Just because you didn’t want to have these consequences and stuff, just stay inside, you should have came outside and proven them wrong,” Rodriguez told the radio station.“If you were gonna come outside in the first place, you should have still came outside. Just because you didn’t want to have these consequences and stuff, just stay inside, you should have came outside and proven them wrong,” Rodriguez told the radio station.
Under threat of suspension just one student walked out of Sayreville HS this morning #1010wins. Administrators warned students not to walk out pic.twitter.com/AEEFiThf7OUnder threat of suspension just one student walked out of Sayreville HS this morning #1010wins. Administrators warned students not to walk out pic.twitter.com/AEEFiThf7O
Hundreds of students walked out of the Academy for Young Writers high school in Spring Creek, Brooklyn, at 10am ET.Hundreds of students walked out of the Academy for Young Writers high school in Spring Creek, Brooklyn, at 10am ET.
The students, who are predominantly black, have expanded the protest beyond just the issue of school shootings to include racial inequality and the problem of black and brown people losing their lives at a disproportionate rate to white people.The students, who are predominantly black, have expanded the protest beyond just the issue of school shootings to include racial inequality and the problem of black and brown people losing their lives at a disproportionate rate to white people.
The pupils walked out for 18 minutes, to honor both the Parkland victims and 18 people of color who had lost their lives, sometimes at the hands of police. The names of Tamir Rice, Eric Harris and Philando Castile, black men and – in Rice’s case a child – who were shot and killed by law enforcement.The pupils walked out for 18 minutes, to honor both the Parkland victims and 18 people of color who had lost their lives, sometimes at the hands of police. The names of Tamir Rice, Eric Harris and Philando Castile, black men and – in Rice’s case a child – who were shot and killed by law enforcement.
Zayinab Jagun, 17, was carrying a sign which condemned school shootings and also said: “We walk out for the black community.”Zayinab Jagun, 17, was carrying a sign which condemned school shootings and also said: “We walk out for the black community.”
“The black community has been faced with lots of violence all the time,” Jagun said. Spring Creek is close to East New York, a neighborhood which has a troubled history with crime.“The black community has been faced with lots of violence all the time,” Jagun said. Spring Creek is close to East New York, a neighborhood which has a troubled history with crime.
“Every time I watch Brooklyn 12 news [a local television news program] I see someone’s son, daughter, mother or father getting shot down in the black community. ““Every time I watch Brooklyn 12 news [a local television news program] I see someone’s son, daughter, mother or father getting shot down in the black community. “
“So I think having a new take on gun reform would be able to stop that as well.”“So I think having a new take on gun reform would be able to stop that as well.”
Jaelah Jackson, 15, was among those who gave speeches during the walkout.Jaelah Jackson, 15, was among those who gave speeches during the walkout.
“I know a couple of people and they had mixed feelings towards the walkout because they felt if it was a black student being gunnned down or black students being shot or shot at it wouldn’t have got so much coverage,” Jaelah said.“I know a couple of people and they had mixed feelings towards the walkout because they felt if it was a black student being gunnned down or black students being shot or shot at it wouldn’t have got so much coverage,” Jaelah said.
“They felt like minorities and African-Americans are diminished. They aren’t really represented and their cases aren’t presented as equally.”“They felt like minorities and African-Americans are diminished. They aren’t really represented and their cases aren’t presented as equally.”
Sasha Koren, editor of the Guardian’s Mobile Innovation Lab, sends this dispatch from the Upper West Side in Manhattan.Sasha Koren, editor of the Guardian’s Mobile Innovation Lab, sends this dispatch from the Upper West Side in Manhattan.
On a sunny street corner next to a busy subway station on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in mid morning, just after the commuting rush, students from the West Side Collaborative Middle School, accompanied by Paul Kehoe, their social studies teacher, stood in a loose group holding bright signs with slogans like “Enough!” and “End it!”, their chants led by three girls who identified themselves and Skyler, Jane and Jenn.On a sunny street corner next to a busy subway station on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in mid morning, just after the commuting rush, students from the West Side Collaborative Middle School, accompanied by Paul Kehoe, their social studies teacher, stood in a loose group holding bright signs with slogans like “Enough!” and “End it!”, their chants led by three girls who identified themselves and Skyler, Jane and Jenn.
“It’s up to us,” said Jenn, when asked why they had walked out. “If politicians won’t do anything we have to do it. We should be able to go to school and feel safe.”“It’s up to us,” said Jenn, when asked why they had walked out. “If politicians won’t do anything we have to do it. We should be able to go to school and feel safe.”
New York City has reported falling crime rates in recent years, with the 24th precinct, in which the school sits, reporting no shootings in 2017, a 71% drop since 1990. Still, these students took the prospect of gun violence in their community as a real risk.New York City has reported falling crime rates in recent years, with the 24th precinct, in which the school sits, reporting no shootings in 2017, a 71% drop since 1990. Still, these students took the prospect of gun violence in their community as a real risk.
”It’s a problem everywhere,” said Skyler. “If one child gets hurt, everyone gets hurt.””It’s a problem everywhere,” said Skyler. “If one child gets hurt, everyone gets hurt.”
The Booker T Washington high school in Atlanta, where Martin Luther King was a student, saw more than 100 students participate in Wednesday’s walkout.The Booker T Washington high school in Atlanta, where Martin Luther King was a student, saw more than 100 students participate in Wednesday’s walkout.
“Dr King carries a legacy even in death, so I feel as if it’s an obligation to carry on what he wanted and what he was trying to fight for and that’s why this day is very important,” said Markail Brooks, a student.“Dr King carries a legacy even in death, so I feel as if it’s an obligation to carry on what he wanted and what he was trying to fight for and that’s why this day is very important,” said Markail Brooks, a student.
Students were only permitted to walk out of their classes into the hallway and silently take a knee, so no action took place outside the campus.Students were only permitted to walk out of their classes into the hallway and silently take a knee, so no action took place outside the campus.
In an announcement around 9:30am, school officials explained that kneeling in the hallway was the approved form of participation and warned that “anything outside of that is not approved and you will receive swift and severe consequences”.In an announcement around 9:30am, school officials explained that kneeling in the hallway was the approved form of participation and warned that “anything outside of that is not approved and you will receive swift and severe consequences”.
The school went on lockdown “to promote safety and security” until the protests ended.The school went on lockdown “to promote safety and security” until the protests ended.
For students at other schools who were not permitted to engage in any form of protest, Washington students had a message:For students at other schools who were not permitted to engage in any form of protest, Washington students had a message:
“Fight. Fight, fight – our words matter,” said India White. “We’re the students of this school. We have a word because we attend this school, this is our home.”“Fight. Fight, fight – our words matter,” said India White. “We’re the students of this school. We have a word because we attend this school, this is our home.”
The “take a knee” gesture was a unique twist on the national walkout, but not a surprising one given the resonance the gesture has taken on in the black community. The high school is 99% black, according to department of education data.The “take a knee” gesture was a unique twist on the national walkout, but not a surprising one given the resonance the gesture has taken on in the black community. The high school is 99% black, according to department of education data.
Former 49ers American football player Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem of games in 2016 to protest racism and police violence.Former 49ers American football player Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem of games in 2016 to protest racism and police violence.
Student government leaders told reporters that the knee was to “show respect” for students who have died by gun violence.Student government leaders told reporters that the knee was to “show respect” for students who have died by gun violence.
Students at predominantly black schools often face a different gun landscape than those at mostly white schools. At BTS students pass through metal detectors and have bag searches when they come in. Three armed resource officers were overseeing throughout the protests. pic.twitter.com/0d4w1NPjAwStudents at predominantly black schools often face a different gun landscape than those at mostly white schools. At BTS students pass through metal detectors and have bag searches when they come in. Three armed resource officers were overseeing throughout the protests. pic.twitter.com/0d4w1NPjAw
Demonstrators gathered outside the White House and US Capitol in Washington DC to demand measures to prevent gun violence.Demonstrators gathered outside the White House and US Capitol in Washington DC to demand measures to prevent gun violence.
Democratic lawmakers walked out in support of the student protesters and met with those crowded outside in the near-freezing weather.Democratic lawmakers walked out in support of the student protesters and met with those crowded outside in the near-freezing weather.
Hundreds of students on the west side of the Capitol where Democrats are about to walk out of the Capitol. They’re chanting “No more silence. Stop gun violence.” And “what do we want? Gun control. When do we want it? NOW.” pic.twitter.com/BxXwoXjNIdHundreds of students on the west side of the Capitol where Democrats are about to walk out of the Capitol. They’re chanting “No more silence. Stop gun violence.” And “what do we want? Gun control. When do we want it? NOW.” pic.twitter.com/BxXwoXjNId
Democratic lawmakers are cheered as they walk out of the US Capitol. Crowd chants “We want change.” Some lawmakers chant the message back. pic.twitter.com/SAC4hLQmYJDemocratic lawmakers are cheered as they walk out of the US Capitol. Crowd chants “We want change.” Some lawmakers chant the message back. pic.twitter.com/SAC4hLQmYJ
The Resistance NowThe Resistance Now
The Guardian is covering the people, action and ideas driving the protest movement in the US in our series, The Resistance Now. Sign up for weekly email updates about activism and protest.The Guardian is covering the people, action and ideas driving the protest movement in the US in our series, The Resistance Now. Sign up for weekly email updates about activism and protest.