Significant winter weather on March 14 did not stop IHS students from standing in solidarity with an estimated 1 million students nationwide to remember the victims of the Parkland mass shooting and to protest the recent wave of gun violence in schools. Hundreds of students stood in silence, some with their heads bowed, and others hugging and holding hands, for seventeen minutes, in memory of the seventeen victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting a month prior. While very careful to avoid publicizing the topic, IHS administration ultimately stood by students who chose to peacefully walk out.
In the week leading up to the walkout, IHS administration was very cautious in its response to the planned protest. A voice message sent to IHS families noted that “It is [their] responsibility to educate students and keep them safe . . . while students have the right to peaceful protest, demonstrations can’t be sanctioned by the school district.” Students were encouraged to stay on school grounds, with Ithaca Police Department (IPD) officials present to ensure their safety, and students were not penalized for their participation in the walkout.
Five minutes before the planned walkout, Principal Jason Trumble went on the PA system to ask students to remain quiet in the hallways as they left the building, noting that it was their right to participate in the protests as long as they adhered to school rules. Moments later, hundreds of IHS students quietly left their classrooms, first gathering along the sidewalk along North Cayuga Street, and then occupying the sidewalk along the bus lane. Students occupied the entire width of the sidewalk, and the crowd stretched all the way from Cayuga Street to the brick pillars near the Activities Building. “It felt very unifying.” said Leah Wardlaw ’20. “There were kids all over the US and in different countries who were using their voices to say that gun violence is wrong, and it was powerful that they walked out regardless of the consequences, which included suspension and corporal punishment.”
Many student activists stood with signs reading slogans like “Hear their Voices” and “Enough is Enough,” as well as several signs with the names of victims of the Parkland shooting. Students walked out for a number of reasons, with some joining mainly to pay respects to victims, while others joined specifically to agitate for change. “I participated in the walkout because I believe that direct action is one of the most important things you can do to bring about change at a national level,” said Sankofa McLaurin ’19. Renat Urazgildiiev ’21 echoed similar sentiments, saying, “I walked out because it’s important to honor all the people that died, and show that we will not back down to fear.”
The national walkout has led to an important discussion in Tompkins County regarding legislation about guns in schools. The Tompkins County Legislature is currently hosting discussions over two competing resolutions, one in support to a state-funded armed official being available to every school, and one in opposition of such a measure. Such a measure would be largely symbolic, but discussions provide a venue for Ithaca residents to express their beliefs and feelings about the issue. IHS students are encouraged to email legislature@tompkins-co.org for more information.