High school students across the country are planning to walk out of their classrooms on March 14 to remember the 17 people killed in the Parkland, Florida shooting and to protest gun violence.
Schools in Northeast Ohio are handling the movement in various ways.
At Brunswick High School, students are being given three options: walk to the gym, stand outside in a designated area or opt out of the event altogether.
Brunswick junior Tyler Benson helped organzine the walkout at his high school.
“We’re really excited. The school is going to be supporting us and we don’t have to be scared about it," Benson said. "Our message is that students want change. We aren’t going to stand by and let another shooting happen. So we’re going to walk out of school in protest and we’re going to register to vote.”
Brunswick's school resource officer also said four to five additional officers will be on hand during the walk.
Other events planned in Northeast Ohio:
- Cleveland Central Catholic will hold a march and prayer service at their high school to end gun violence.
- Officials with Lakewood High School said the walkout will take place during third period at the school's football field. A student group will have also provide a voting registration table during lunch periods.
- Elyria High School students will walk outside during their third-period class.
- Mentor High School plans to read the names of the 17 people killed over the loudspeaker around 10 a.m.
- Cleveland Metropolitan Schools said while they respect the right to protest, any student who leaves their classroom will be counted as tardy or given an unexcused absence.
Most walkouts are planned to take place around 10 a.m.
