Thousands Of Tri-Valley Students Walk Out, Call For Gun Reform

Thousands of students throughout the Tri-Valley area walked out of class Wednesday morning as part of a national action to call for gun reform legislation in the wake of a deadly mass shooting at a high school in Florida exactly one month ago. The organized students held signs, marched and chanted. Many gave speeches and released orange balloons.

Organizers of the Women's March called on students, teachers, administrators and parents across the country to participate. The ENOUGH National School Walkout was held at 10 a.m. and was expected to last 17 minutes — one minute for each life lost.

Students from San Ramon Valley, Dougherty Valley, Monte Vista, Granada, Livermore, Dublin, Foothill, Amador Valley, Hart, Harvest Park and Pleasanton Middle schools were all expected to demonstrate.

More than 1,500 students at Foothill High School participated in the demonstration, which lasted about 45 minutes. The students, many wearing orange, marched in solidarity through the campus while chanting. A handful of counter protestors prompted a discussion between the student groups. Student leaders at the school said they will plan future events and intend to participate in additional walkouts.

On Tuesday, Livermore middle and high school students joined a dialogue about school safety with district leaders, elected officials and law enforcement. District officials said student leaders are encouraging other students to do what they can to improve the world by registering to vote and signing petitions.

School districts and individual schools handled the walkouts differently, with some encouraging moments of silence or rallies that remained on campus and others allowing supervised marches from the school. Some students who did not make it back to class on time were given unexcused tardies.

WATCH Foothill High students in Pleasanton take part in nationwide walkout:

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Photos 1, 2 of Dublin students courtesy Dublin Unified School District

Photos 3-5 of Pleasanton students courtesy Autumn Johnson/ Patch