Mansfield HS Students Leave Class In Memory Of Parkland Victims

MANSFIELD, MA — It may have been a few days later than expected, but Mansfield High School students were able to stand in solidarity with the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.

A crowd of about 200 students took part in the walkout, which saw students leave class at 10 a.m. and stand outside the high school gymnasium for 17 minutes in honor of the 17 victims killed.

The walkout was originally scheduled for March 14, the one-month anniversary of the shooting, but a snowstorm that dropped nearly two feet of snow across the area closed schools for two days and forced the postponement.

The brief walkout saw student speakers call for legislative action on gun control and an end to school gun violence, with some noting that they have seen the same cycle during the many mass shootings that have occurred in their lifetimes.

“Every time this happens we discuss gun safety, thoughts and prayers for the families and then nothing. We move on to the next shooting and we repeat the process,” Mansfield High School student Sophie McCarthy said. “Let’s let them know that we want an end to this. The time to take action is now. Let's stand up and say we want safer learning environments.”

High school junior Rokaki Alsultani echoed McCarthy's words, telling the crowd that it’s their duty as Americans to stand up and make sure their voices are heard.

Students also read off the names of the victims had a moment of silence.

A message from the Mansfield state delegation, which includes Democratic state Senator Paul Feeney, Republican state Rep. Jay Barrows, and Republican state Rep. Betty Poirier was also read.

“You as the students of Mansfield High School are continuing the important national dialogue on gun control by memorializing the lives of staff and students lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School,” the statement, in part, read.

School officials watched from a distance for the entirety of the walkout. Superintendent Teresa Murphy said afterward that while she could not hear what was said, the event was respectful and successfully executed.

Below is footage of the walkout:

Images via Dan Libon