Local students are preparing for a peaceful protest Thursday. Area schools and thousands across the country will take part in a walkout, demanding tougher gun laws and safer schools.
Student organizers say the tentative plan is a moment of silence in classrooms at 10:00 a.m., and then the big walkout around 1:00 p.m.
The walkout falls on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado.
Shelby County School students plan to walk out Thursday, followed by similar demonstrations at other school districts Friday.
As schools across the country participate in the National Student Walkout, administrators here at home say they’ve been preparing. SCS Superintendent Dorsey Hopson met with student organizers from different schools weeks ago to ensure the walkout goes smoothly and safely.
“We want to make sure that we’re supportive, but we also want to make sure we have some processes and procedures in place,” said Hopson.
“It’s just powerful to see other young people feeling inspired to go and act and create change in their community because I think our time is now,” says White Station Student Becca Folkes-Lallo.
Some of the schools participating Thursday include White Station High, Saint Agnes Academy, and Collierville High School. The University of Memphis plans to participate in the walkout as well.
