Walkout At Middletown South High School Over Gun Violence (Video)

The Asbury Park Press was capturing live video of a walkout at Middletown South High School Wednesday to protest gun violence (see video below).

About 200 students and faculty members apparently walked out of the school at noon, according to app.com. The student walkout comes as a result of last week's Florida shooting massacre that left 17 people dead. The Press reporter said no students will be suspended or punished for the walkout.

William O. Georges, superintendent of schools, released this statement after the walkout:

"Today at 12 noon, a portion of the Middletown High School South student body participated in a 17-minute observance in support of the 17 lives lost in Parkland, Florida. In the wake of recent tragedies related to school violence, we respect our students’ right to express their feelings. Student and staff safety and their emotional well-being are our first priority. Our students’ sympathetic support for the victims and their understanding of this complex societal issue was evident in their appropriate actions. Please understand this communication came after the observances to support our goal of school community safety."

On Monday, a group of students from the three Toms River high schools and Central Regional rallied outside the Ocean County Library to demand gun reform from Congress.

"Congress is doing nothing. We need Congress to do something," said Zach Dougherty, a Toms River North junior who organized Monday's protest. "Enough blood in our classrooms."

Here is the video from Wednesday's walkout at Middletown South:

We will update this post shortly with more information.

Patch photo