National School Walkout: Traffic Delays Expected In Palo Alto

PALO ALTO, CA — Police in Palo Alto said motorists should expect delays Wednesday near the 100 block of El Camino Real, near the city's border with Menlo Park, because of students taking part in a national school walkout demonstration. Police said to expect delays starting at about 10:30 a.m. until as late as 2 p.m.

The city of Menlo Park said an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 students from several area schools are taking part in the march meant to raise awareness about school safety and gun violence. The 17-minute-long — one minute for every student or staff member lost in the shooting on Feb. 14 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — walkout was scheduled to take place across the country at exactly 10 a.m.

Students from Menlo Atherton High School, Menlo School, Sacred Heart School and others planned to march from Atherton through Menlo Park, ending at El Camino Park in Palo Alto.

Police from Palo Alto and Menlo Park were planning on being on hand to ensure a safe demonstration, officials said.

Motorists should consider taking alternate routes to avoid the area, especially El Camino Real from Atherton to Palo Alto, police said.

".... Students at many Palo Alto schools will also be participating in the demonstration near their own campuses, but we have no information indicating that there will be any disruption to traffic as a result of those demonstrations," Palo Alto police said. "Police are working in close conjunction with the various school administrations to ensure the safety of our students and to protect their ability to exercise their constitutional rights in a safe manner."

Palo Alto Unified School District Interim Superintendent Karen Hendricks said the district was "applauding students' commitment to be on the forefront of driving social change" by accommodating those who wished to take part in the national walkout.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• National School Walkout: Palo Alto USD To Accommodate Students
• LIST: At Least 17 Santa Clara County Schools Will Have Walkouts
• SMC Students To March This Morning In National School Walkouts

Image via Palo Alto Police Department