Women’s March San Luis Obispo, Women’s March Youth EMPOWER, and others are calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods. We need action. Students and allies are organizing the national school walkout to demand Congress pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence at our schools, on our streets and in our homes and places of worship.

Students and staff have the right to teach and learn in an environment free from the worry of being gunned down in their classrooms or on their way home from school.

Parents have the right to send their kids to school in the mornings and see them home alive at the end of the day.

We are not safe at school. We are not safe in our cities and towns. Congress must take meaningful action to keep us safe and pass federal gun reform legislation that address the public health crisis of gun violence. We want Congress to pay attention and take note: many of us will vote this November and many others will join in 2020.

Join us in saying #ENOUGH!

Add your event to the map or find one near you here: https://www.actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/enough-national-school-walkout

Target Age – High school Freshmen and Up, younger ages please contact us for resources.
Date: March 14, 10AM
Length: 17 minutes, to honor the 17 people who were murdered in Parkland, FL on 2/14/18.

For Students

  • Plan the Walk Out
    • Talk to your friends/ Share on social media
    • Know where you’ll walk to.
    • Know what you’ll do when you get there for the 17 min.
    • Go back to class at the end of the 17 min.
  • Talk to your teachers and administrators about when, why, what, and how you are doing this, ask for their support.
  • Parent, allies, school staff are welcome to join the action if you want them to. Follow your school’s policies about visitors to campus.
  • Be respectful, this is not a protest against your school. It is taking a stand against gun violence on school campuses.
  • Walking out is just the beginning of a long term strategy to make change.

 

  • Options if you decide not to walk
    • Lead a classroom discussion about why gun violence happens at school and what can be done.
    • Write letters to the editor of your local media.
    • Write letters to your school administration.
    • Write letters to your representatives.
    • Your own idea – you are creative and smart. You may have a different idea that you want to implement. We support you in doing so in a safe and respectful manner.

 

  • Options of what to do during the walk out
    • 17 min. of silence
    • Have students speakers – you may need to work with your school for amplification.
    • Invite adult speakers – clear this with your school administration.
    • Hold signs for passing cars if you choose a visible location. Be safe, stay on the sidewalk.
    • Get these hashtags trending #Enough #NationalSchoolWalkout
    • Your own idea – you are creative and smart. You may have a different idea that you want to implement. We support you in doing so in a safe and respectful manner.

 

For Teachers

  • Walk out with students as a show of support for ending gun violence on school campuses.
  • Stay in with students who decide not to walk out.
  • Know your rights and responsibilities – ask your union if you are unclear about this.
  • Options for staying in – what to do with the 17 min. while students have walked out:
    • Lead a discussion on why gun violence happens and how to end it.
    • Show a short film on this issue.
    • Provide time for open discussion.
    • Be supportive, our children don’t want to die at school. This walk out is about them taking charge to make true, positive, and lasting change.
    • Your own idea – you are creative and smart. You may have a different idea that you want to implement. We support you in doing so in a safe and respectful manner.

 

For Administrators

  • Walk out with students as a show of support for ending gun violence on school campuses.
  • Stay in with students who decide not to walk out.
  • Know your rights and responsibilities – ask your union/district if you are unclear about this.
  • Options for staying in – what to do with the 17 min. while students have walked out:
    • Lead a discussion on why gun violence happens and how to end it.
    • Show a short film on this issue.
    • Provide time for open discussion.
    • Your own idea – You are creative and smart. You may have a different idea that you want to implement. We support you in doing so in a safe and respectful manner.
  • Change to an assembly schedule so that students don’t get a “cut” for missing class. Hold an all-school activity for those who decide not to walk out.
  • Be supportive, our children don’t want to die at school. This walk out is about them taking charge to make true, positive, and lasting change.
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