Oregon Schools Join Thousands in Walkout Against Gun Violence

(SALEM, Ore.) - On the one-month anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, tens of thousands of high school students across the country participated in the National School Walkout against gun violence.

According to Women's March Youth Empower, there were more than 2,500 school walkouts planned, including several outside the US.

In the case of South Salem HS, the event was sanctioned by the school. Students that chose to, left their classes at 9:55 a.m. and came together on the football field at 10:00.

The student body president addressed the group, thanking them for answering the call to action.

The walkout lasted for exactly 17 minutes -- a minute for each life lost in the tragedy at Parkland. The clock was set and hundreds of students stood in quiet contemplation as it counted down. The last minute was an observed moment of silence.

Students were well spoken and clearly had done their homework researching the walkout and what it meant. Their messages are direct, with signage stating “Fear has no place in school” and “Protect children Not guns”.

These kids are for gun control, and they’re soon to be voters. Their opinions differ on the details, but most kids we spoke with were very sensible. Whether you agree with them or not, they make a respectable presentation.

Change is Coming

People everywhere are demanding change. These devastating, horrific shootings have cast a shadow across our sense of security. No longer can we avoid facing this enormous problem if we are ever to solve it. Doing nothing has not worked so far.

There are solutions, and if adults can’t figure it out, the kids have decided they will do what they can. If young people have what it takes to lead the charge on sensible gun reform, then so be it. The youth of our nation have raised their voices before, and they made a difference then.

Today, kids are as confident as ever that they can change the world. Rightly so.

In the end, all of us want the same thing: to have safe schools and communities. That puts us in the same boat, with the same risks. Together, we can overcome.

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Dexter March 20, 2018 4:58 pm (Pacific time)

I hate to piss on everyone’s parade here , including the feminist brigade . One of the main reasons this has become a rather common occurrence is because of one word “ bullying “ ....followed by the second word .... strict abusive teachers . Believe it or not , this is one of those rare occasions where Hollywood movies and tv shows have got it right . I have been in many schools all over the world . In the US , talking to people who have been in American schools , they all agree what you see on the tv or movies when it comes to bullying ....it’s a common occurrence. Teachers, first thing of all ignore it . Then you have a rather over protective feminist ( predominantly) a female that sits in a small office pointing fingers at everyone , who might be a potential “ capital P “ or a person that might be abused ! . They are not concerned about bullying ... they are only concerned of sending social services over to anyone that might have a bruised knee . I remeber being at a school in France with American exchange teachers . We could not believe how cold and strict they were , compared to European teachers , and even the good old Canadians . Seconded ..... there is a severe bullying going on at the US Schools which seem to be ignored . This has nothing to do with poor upbringing , or being brought up by rather strict parents . There has been people from the poor side of the spectrum to the upperclass , that have decided to spread led poisoning to their school brethren. With out sounding like a broken record here ....bullying is the main reason for this rather sad repetitive dilemma. No one seems to have dug deep on the main reasons here . But I’m sure if you send an investgative journalist to interview these school kids after the aftermath ... I’m sure they will get the answer why , and who pushed that person to breaking no point !

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