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St. Lawrence University students, faculty organizing school walkout in Canton for end to gun violence

Posted 3/12/18

CANTON -- St. Lawrence University students and faculty members will participate in a walkout at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14 to demonstrate against gun violence in schools. The walkout is organized by …

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St. Lawrence University students, faculty organizing school walkout in Canton for end to gun violence

Posted

CANTON -- St. Lawrence University students and faculty members will participate in a walkout at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14 to demonstrate against gun violence in schools.

The walkout is organized by student members of Weave News and Jessica Sierk, assistant professor of education at St. Lawrence.

This walkout is part of a larger movement of gun safety demonstrations led by students across the United States.

The goal of the walkout is to highlight the nationwide issue of gun violence and to initiate discussions toward concrete changes for safety and solutions for all, regardless of differing views on gun policy

Students and faculty are being asked to walk out of class and head to the St. Lawrence Quad at 10 a.m. The organizers will distribute orange bracelets, the official color of the national movement. The demonstration begins at 10:10 am with an introduction speech.

It will also include the naming of victims from the Marjorie Stoneham Douglas School shooting, a moment of silence, and an announcement for a plan of action until the walkout ends at 10:27 am. The 17 minute duration represents the 17 lives that were lost during the shooting in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 18.

“As a former high school math teacher and now an education professor, the gun violence that is taking place in our nation's schools is appalling to me. Teachers and students have enough on their plates,” explained Jessica Sierk, assistant professor of education at St. Lawrence University. “Students shouldn't have to make that decision between learning and safety. We, as a society, should be ensuring their safety so that student can focus on learning and teachers on teaching.”

There is more information about the walkout at https://www.facebook.com/events/551978025176365/.