More Than 1,000 Westfield Students Walkout

WESTFIELD, NJ — More than 1,000 Westfield High School and Intermediate students walked out of class at 10 a.m. on Wednesday to send a message that they will no longer be victims to gun violence in schools and to call for stricter firearm laws.

The walkout was also done to honor the 17 students and teachers who died in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School a month ago.

The 17-minute walkout is one of hundreds that were held across the United States spearheaded by the Enough National School Walkout of the Women's March Youth EMPOWER nonprofit. The length of time is done in memory of the 17 victims of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida. (See Related: Florida Shooting Victim, 14, Lived In NJ, 'Loved, Well-Respected')

Student leaders at Westfield High School and Edison and Roosevelt Intermediate Schools spoke during the walkout.

“Currently schools across the nation are joining together as we value school safety. You’re all using the most powerful weapon today — your voice — which cannot be ignored,” said Westfield High School junior Emma Wolynez. “Please use your voice to educate others and talk to family, friends and anyone who will listen to your ideas about safety and schools. At WHS, we are lucky to have administrators who will listen to us and value our voices, so use that to tell them what you want to see and what you are afraid of.”

“Today will be a day that Westfield students will not soon forget and will serve as a model in the future for how students can impact change within their own communities,” senior Dexter Cypress said.

Westfield High School Principal Derrick Nelson expressed his support of the students.

“I am extremely proud of our student organizers who were respectful and thoughtful in every step of their planning process. It is always important to listen to our students, especially on such an important topic as school safety which affects us all.”

(Images via Westfield Public Schools)

Photo 1 - Westfield High School students.

Photo 2 - Westfield High School senior Linzy Rosen joined other student leaders and read the names of each one of the 17 victims.

Photo 3 - Westfield High School junior Emma Wolynez asked fellow students to “please use your voice to
educate others and talk to family, friends and anyone who will listen to your ideas about safety
and schools.”

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