Unclear If Forsyth Students Plan Walkouts For Stricter Gun Laws

FORSYTH COUNTY, GA — It is unclear if students from Forsyth County schools are planning to join a national movement by staging a walkout in March to protest recent gun violence in schools in a call for stricter laws. School administrators are currently working with their students and discussing their plans.

The March 14 walkout, set to coordinate with the National School Walkout day, is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., according to an event posting on the main campaign website.

Students who say they attend Forsyth schools have signed up for the protest online.

The walkout events are planned across the country after 17 students, teachers, and coaches were killed and numerous people injured in the Valentine's Day massacre. Students participating in the National Walkout will leave their classrooms for 17 minutes – one minute for each life taken at the school on Feb. 14, according to organizers.

Students say they are working with administrators to carry out their plans for protest.

The Forsyth County School District has addressed the situation ahead of time and Jennifer Caracciolo, a school system spokesperson, has made a statement.

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"Middle and high school administrators are currently working with their students to make plans for March 14 for students that wish to participate in an event/activity to honor the lives lost," she said. "Our goal is to not interrupt instruction and to be flexible for students that wish to be involved. We will not be releasing specific plans for each school due to the safety issues surrounding this day and large gatherings.

National organizers say the walkout is intended to be a step towards action.

"We need action. Students and allies are organizing the national school walkout to demand Congress pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence at our schools, on our streets and in our homes and places of worship," according to the nationwide event page.

AP Photo/Evan Vucci