We keep hearing the same heartbreaking story in the news, someone walks into a school and opens fire on an innocent and unsuspecting student body and hundreds if not thousandth of people are left hurt or traumatized. We're only about 10 weeks into 2018 and there have already been 14 school shootings in the U.S., and according to CNN America is averaging 1.5 shooting a week.
While many are sick and tired of hearing about young people getting hurt in these senseless acts of violence, no one is more frustrated and upset than those attending these schools. So as a means to have their voices heard and to tell those in power that they won't stand for the current gun laws anymore - students taken matters into their own hands.
@washingtonianmagToday students rallied together for a National School Walkout, a movement created by local American youth to protest the NRA and the national gun laws in America. Hundreds of schools walked out of classrooms for 17 minutes at 10 a.m. in each time zone. The 17 minutes representing the 17 students killed at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School exactly one month ago.
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Those participating in the protest have three main demands for Congress:
- Ban assault weapons;
- Require universal background checks before gun sales;
- Pass a gun violence restraining order law that would allow courts to disarm people who display warning signs of violent behavior.
And while the movement is about students advocating for themselves, it's also gained the support of local policy makers and celebrities:
Dear Students,
I stand with you. I support you. #NationalWalkoutDay
We support you. #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/dVr4wrOMSG
I stand in solidarity with all the students today! The future is YOURS! No progress has ever been made in silence. #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/nfUQHtTzy5
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@nationalschoolwalkout