Today, thousands of students nationwide walked out of class at 10 a.m. to show their support for the victims of the Parkland school shooting on Feb. 14. Organized by the founders of the Women’s March, this walk out protested against the gun violence in the United States and called for law reforms. South participated in this walkout, organizing a school wide event that offered students the opportunity to go to Bennett Field for seventeen minutes to pay tribute to the fallen Parkland students.
At 10 a.m., ASB President Mckenzie Stones came on the announcement speakers to give students the permission to leave their class. Students gathered on the football field carrying signs with phrases such as “never again” and “protect children, not guns”. Stones addressed the student body at the beginning of the event, urging them at the end of her speech to simply “be kind.” In the last minute of the seventeen that students spent on the football field, there was a moment of silence for the victims of the Parkland shooting.
Signs left on lockers around the school also encouraged students to attend “March For Our Lives, Salem.” This is a student-organized march against gun violence that will be held on the steps of the Capitol on March 24. The event is scheduled to last from eleven to one a.m., welcoming all to join.
To view photos from the event, click on the link below:
 

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