Students connect with Women's March in solidarity and forward movement.
what you need to know : the short of it
*student-led walkout
*Wednesday, March 14th @ 10:00 (ALL time zones)
*17 minutes for 17 students killed in Parkland, Florida
*inclusive call to action of solidarity and support of student safety
*representation meant to urge Congress to amend gun laws in favor of school safety
The Walkout Protest: Past & Present (learn the history, significance and results)
Walkouts to Come (read about the walkouts currently planned for the year)
why it matters : the long of it
The #ENOUGH National School Walkout is a semi-organized, grassroots, student-led statement of solidarity in the name of school safety. The movement is hosted under the Women’s March umbrella and their Youth EMPOWER coalition. It calls for students, teacher, school administrators, parents and allies to join together to step out of classrooms and school buildings.
There are suggested action plans for schools to take part in once participants have walked out of their respective spaces. Whether contributors to the movement are leaving the building or simply stepping out of their scheduled classrooms, opportunities are listed for all to share in a collective and educated stance against gun violence and for school safety.
Some action plans include hosting an assembly, making signs against gun violence, writing letter to Congress people urging them to take action. The movement, this walkout, is a social media driven campaign that brings youth and adults together around a common and emotional topic often left for political sessions behind closed doors. Regardless of political position, the movement presses individuals and schools alike to take part and visibly support those who have been killed or injured due to gun violence, most particularly in schools.
how to teach it : walkouts, protests & political stances
WATCH: students and legislators on 2/2/18 in Tallahassee, FL
Discussion Questions: Why do you think it was important for these individuals to share their thoughts in this way? Have you heard speeches or read messages about school/gun violence recently? Describe what you have seen or heard. Why do you think it is important for individuals to speak their minds in public spaces? What are the risks involved with speaking out in larger public forums?
ACTIVITY: Write a speech or essay about gun violence and school safety. Describe in your writing what your personal views are on gun violence and school safety. Remember to stay focused on the topics, however, these topics do not need to connect together (i.e. you might write about gun violence being separate from school safety). The written piece should use either personal experience, personal understandings and/or facts to support your statements.
Extension: Read your speech or essay aloud to the class. Share positive feedback with each other focusing on how each person relayed their viewpoints on each topic.
WATCH or READ: East L.A. Walkouts & ‘Eastside 13’ mini documentary http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-eastside-13-walkouts-20180308-story.html
Discussion Questions: Why did the ‘Eastside 13’ believe walking out was their best option? What similarities do you notice between the East L.A. movements and movements happening in the present? What role do you think government agencies should have over walkouts?
ACTIVITY: Determine one cause or struggle that is important to you. Create a poster that depicts the importance of this cause from your perspective. Use images and words to describe the cause and why another person should value its importance. The cause you focus on should be one beyond personal situation-consider a struggle that affects others as well.Display your posters to ensure that your cause is seen by the public.
Extension: On your poster, include ways to counter, better, or create positive change for this cause. Share your posters and offer positive comments to others and the causes they chose.
