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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)
In Alexandria, Virginia, a wealthy, liberal suburb of Washington DC, more than 60 students walked out of George Mason Elementary School. Two 11-year-olds, Naomi Wadler and Carter Anderson, had organized the protest.
“Just the sensation that we are going to make a difference makes me feel proud,” Henry Gibbs, 10, said early Wednesday morning, before participating in the walkout.
The students, led by the youngest who were about six and seven years old, formed a line in the front of the school. They stayed quiet as they held up signs with the names of Parkland victims, as well as Courtlin Arrington, a 17-year-old shot to death at school in Birmingham, Alabama.
Dozens of parents stood on the sidewalk taking photographs of the protesting students, but no one spoke. Some students visibly shivered as they held up their signs. The only sound was birds tweeting and the cardboard of the protest signs snapping in the wind.
Students have stood up again. Complete silence. Their faces are so serious. One of them was shaking with the cold and still holding up her sign. pic.twitter.com/AXWvEcIet3
After a few minutes, the line of students collapsed to the ground.
Doris Maultsby said when she watched her two children, 10 and 7, fall to the ground, she thought of all the other parents who lost their children to senseless gun violence.
“Their composure, they’re ten and 11 year olds, was beyond anything I would expect or want them to have to be experiencing at this age,” said Sherry Reilly, who had two sons participate in the walkout. “But it is their reality, and we cannot insulate them from it.”
At least one parent in the school’s district did not support the protests.
Keeping my kids home today in order to avoid the @ACPSk12 supported school walkout. Wish @ACPSsupt kept politics out of the classroom. My kids will be learning about the #Constitution and their #SecondAmendment right to keep and bear arms.
Guardian data editor Mona Chalabi has the data behind gun violence in the US.
We need to talk about guns and we need to talk about masculinity. There have been at least 97 mass shootings that were indiscriminate rampages in public places where four or more victims were killed by the attacker. Two were committed by a woman, and 1 was committed by a man and a woman together. The rest were all men. To put it another way, 816 people have been killed in US mass shootings since 1982, only 12 of them were killed by women. Standing in solidarity with all the students who are leaving their classrooms today to demand that congress *finally* do something about this. #enough #datasketch Source: Mother Jones, 2018
A post shared by Mona Chalabi (@monachalabi) on Mar 14, 2018 at 8:41am PDT
Chalabi writes:
When people think of gun violence, they might think of large-scale mass shootings like the one in Las Vegas on Sunday, in which 59 people were killed. But of the approximately 33,000 gun violence deaths that take place each year, only about 500 (or 1.5%) come from mass shootings. Two-thirds of gun violence deaths are from suicide.
We’ve got another reader submission from Anna Curran, a 16-year-old student at Columbia high school in Maplewood, New Jersey. There’s a sizable bunch gathered at the school, where students went up one by one to make statements about gun violence and to demand action from lawmakers.
While we’re looking at California, it’s worth noting that the school district to receive the most money from the National Rifle Association between 2010 and 2016 is in an unexpected place – the suburbs of Sacramento.While we’re looking at California, it’s worth noting that the school district to receive the most money from the National Rifle Association between 2010 and 2016 is in an unexpected place – the suburbs of Sacramento.
Of all the 50 US states, California has the strictest gun laws. Those laws were made in the state’s capital, Sacramento, leading the city to become a euphemism for gun control. For instance, NRA TV host Grant Stinchfield said last year that North Korea should bomb Sacramento instead of Guam (he then apologized).Of all the 50 US states, California has the strictest gun laws. Those laws were made in the state’s capital, Sacramento, leading the city to become a euphemism for gun control. For instance, NRA TV host Grant Stinchfield said last year that North Korea should bomb Sacramento instead of Guam (he then apologized).
According to data published last week by the Sacramento Bee and Associated Press, about $300,000 was awarded in grants to a school in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville for ammunition and gear for its tap-shooting teams. That’s more money than any other school in the country received in that period, according to the AP.According to data published last week by the Sacramento Bee and Associated Press, about $300,000 was awarded in grants to a school in the Sacramento suburb of Roseville for ammunition and gear for its tap-shooting teams. That’s more money than any other school in the country received in that period, according to the AP.
Another $200,000 went to schools in the same region, Placer County, one of the few majority Republican counties in the liberal state.Another $200,000 went to schools in the same region, Placer County, one of the few majority Republican counties in the liberal state.
These grants come from the NRA Foundation, which is separate from the group’s lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action. The NRA Foundation has awarded nearly $335 million in grant funding in support of shooting sports, according to its website.These grants come from the NRA Foundation, which is separate from the group’s lobbying arm, the Institute for Legislative Action. The NRA Foundation has awarded nearly $335 million in grant funding in support of shooting sports, according to its website.
This comes as companies distance themselves from the powerful gun lobby.This comes as companies distance themselves from the powerful gun lobby.
It’s nearly 11:30am on the west coast, where National Walk Out day protests continue to unfold.It’s nearly 11:30am on the west coast, where National Walk Out day protests continue to unfold.
At Fresno high school in central California, there was a large turnout:At Fresno high school in central California, there was a large turnout:
In powerful demonstration, rows of Fresno High students sit or lie down as the names of the 17 Florida victims are read allowed following a single beat of a drum. #NationalWalkoutDay California #Enough walkout pic.twitter.com/OEAjx89qbKIn powerful demonstration, rows of Fresno High students sit or lie down as the names of the 17 Florida victims are read allowed following a single beat of a drum. #NationalWalkoutDay California #Enough walkout pic.twitter.com/OEAjx89qbK
California state lawmakers walked out of the capitol building in support of the young demonstrators, many of whom had gathered on the lawn outside.California state lawmakers walked out of the capitol building in support of the young demonstrators, many of whom had gathered on the lawn outside.
CA Assembly Democrats, staff members and young people walk out of the Capitol and stand in silence in solidarity with national school walk-out. pic.twitter.com/Ftz5hpOO6eCA Assembly Democrats, staff members and young people walk out of the Capitol and stand in silence in solidarity with national school walk-out. pic.twitter.com/Ftz5hpOO6e
Holding signs of the names of those killed at parkland pic.twitter.com/OPUJp5oioGHolding signs of the names of those killed at parkland pic.twitter.com/OPUJp5oioG
California senator Kamala Harris also shared a message of support on Twitter.California senator Kamala Harris also shared a message of support on Twitter.
Martin Luther King was only 26 when he helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott.John Lewis was 21 when he went down to Mississippi as one of the original Freedom Riders.Diane Nash was 22 when she started leading sit-ins in Nashville. Our youth have always been our future.Martin Luther King was only 26 when he helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott.John Lewis was 21 when he went down to Mississippi as one of the original Freedom Riders.Diane Nash was 22 when she started leading sit-ins in Nashville. Our youth have always been our future.
At Ocean View High School in ultra-conservative Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles, about a hundred students out of 1,600 congregated on the grass in front a sign advertising the school team, the Seahawks, with banners declaring “Never forget” and “Protect kids, not guns”.At Ocean View High School in ultra-conservative Huntington Beach, south of Los Angeles, about a hundred students out of 1,600 congregated on the grass in front a sign advertising the school team, the Seahawks, with banners declaring “Never forget” and “Protect kids, not guns”.
With police officers and school district officials watching closely, 17 of the protesters took turns lying down on the grass in memory of the 17 dead in Parkland, Florida. The 17 wore white t-shirts, each with a hand-drawn black letter. Together they read: “NEVER AGAIN – STAND UP.”With police officers and school district officials watching closely, 17 of the protesters took turns lying down on the grass in memory of the 17 dead in Parkland, Florida. The 17 wore white t-shirts, each with a hand-drawn black letter. Together they read: “NEVER AGAIN – STAND UP.”
Students burst into sporadic chants of “Enough is enough!” Passing cars at the busy intersection of Warner Avenue and Gothard Street honked approvingly, and the students responded with cheers.Students burst into sporadic chants of “Enough is enough!” Passing cars at the busy intersection of Warner Avenue and Gothard Street honked approvingly, and the students responded with cheers.
At 10:17am, organizer Quinn Bosselman called for a minute’s silence and read the names of the dead from Parkland through a megaphone. He then urged everyone to return to class quickly so they would be marked only tardy, not absent.At 10:17am, organizer Quinn Bosselman called for a minute’s silence and read the names of the dead from Parkland through a megaphone. He then urged everyone to return to class quickly so they would be marked only tardy, not absent.
“This is the only country in the world where these mass shootings happen regularly,” Bosselman said. “We’ve seen Las Vegas and Orlando and each time you just think, here we go again. But Parkland is different. These kids are keeping it in the news and we want to give them every support.”“This is the only country in the world where these mass shootings happen regularly,” Bosselman said. “We’ve seen Las Vegas and Orlando and each time you just think, here we go again. But Parkland is different. These kids are keeping it in the news and we want to give them every support.”
Even the more liberal students said they were uninterested in scoring political points by staking out their anti-gun positions and arguing futilely with more conservative peers and family members who believed strongly in their Second Amendment rights. Ada Mary Saldana, a senior, said she’d argued with her conservative 30-year-old brother-in-law but was glad they had some common ground.Even the more liberal students said they were uninterested in scoring political points by staking out their anti-gun positions and arguing futilely with more conservative peers and family members who believed strongly in their Second Amendment rights. Ada Mary Saldana, a senior, said she’d argued with her conservative 30-year-old brother-in-law but was glad they had some common ground.
“We both think the government should be stricter about background checks for gun purchases,” she said. “We disagree on a lot. I don’t think teachers should be armed and he does, but we both understand each other and we both want solutions.”“We both think the government should be stricter about background checks for gun purchases,” she said. “We disagree on a lot. I don’t think teachers should be armed and he does, but we both understand each other and we both want solutions.”
Four uniformed officers and two squad cars were on hand to make sure the students did not stray off school property or cause trouble. School district officials were also on hand but expressed delight at how smoothly the protest went.Four uniformed officers and two squad cars were on hand to make sure the students did not stray off school property or cause trouble. School district officials were also on hand but expressed delight at how smoothly the protest went.
“They even picked up the trash and left the place clean than they found it,” said Dan Bryan, director of student services for the Huntington Beach United High School District. “Got to love those Seahawks.”“They even picked up the trash and left the place clean than they found it,” said Dan Bryan, director of student services for the Huntington Beach United High School District. “Got to love those Seahawks.”
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.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.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.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.“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.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.“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.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.”“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.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.”“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.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/Fk6lLB7K3VKids 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.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.”“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.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.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.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.