Hudson Valley Students Join National Walkout Wednesday

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — On the one-month anniversary of the shooting of 17 students and staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, thousands of students in the Hudson Valley joined others around the country Wednesday to honor the victims’ memory and demand something be done to address gun violence and school safety.

Students of Port Chester High School in Port Chester marched outside their school chanting, “We want change.” Signs carried during the protest at White Plains High School said “Lives Over Guns,” “The NRA Is A Terrorist Organization” and “Rise Up and Resist.”

At Croton Harmon High School, students read the names of the victims and placed a rose for each one of them in a vase.

The walkout was organized on the national level by Women’s March Youth EMPOWER. They called for students, staff and supporters to walk out of their schools at precisely 10 a.m. Wednesdayfor approximately 17 minutes in honor of the 17 Parkland victims who were killed on Valentine’s Day.

Students at Clarkstown North High School in New City gathered on the football field for 17 minutes Wednesday morning to commemorate the 17 victims.

About half the 1,300-student body attended, said one of the organizers, junior Mannion McGinley. “It went really well,” she said. “We had a large turnout. Everyone we stood with each other and worked with each other and it was our time.”

Elad Raymond, a senior, said the student leaders had been inspired by the passion and commitment of students in Florida and across the country. But their primary concern was this community and their fellow students, he said, “and our entire school community came together.”

The student leaders dismissed accusations that the students who planned the walkouts were tools of adults who were co-opting kids for liberal causes.

“That is one of the main things we wanted to get clear,” said junior Ethan O'Donoghue. “We’re not listening to politics, we’re worried about people coming in and killing us. We’re not brainwashed, we’re motivated.”

Throughout the Hudson Valley, school administrators realized their students were taking the issue seriously and made plans to accommodate them, keeping in mind that safety and security of the students was of primary importance.

In Mamaroneck, Debbie Manetta, spokeswoman for the school district, said there were plans to lead the students to a particular area for their protest.

She said that teachers would continue to teach, but that students who opted to participate in the walkout were marked absent, but no disciplinary action will be taken.

That wasn’t what all schools decided to do, however.

In Pawling, high school students who chose to walk out of the building to honor the Parkland victims will be contacted by administrators after teachers have submitted attendance records.

Pawling Superintendent William Ward said that leaving the high school or missing a class was a violation of the student code of conduct and there will be consequences, though he added that repercussions for first violations tend to be lighter that for repeated infractions.

Local politicians also took note of the student activism on display.

State Sen. David Carlucci, D-Rockland/Westchester, said that people should be upset that 17 lives were taken one month ago in Florida.

“What we are seeing is youth taking a stand and calling on lawmakers to pass comprehensive and common-sense gun reforms,” he said. “I support their activism and stronger gun laws in New York State.”

Senator Terrence Murphy, R-Yorktown, said we are fortunate to live in a country where we can express our opinions in the form of a peaceful protest.

“The message the students wanted to convey by walking out of their classrooms today was heard. In truth, we have been listening all along,” he said. “Even before the mass shooting in Florida, my colleagues in the state Senate and I were working to pass a comprehensive safety plan that will improve security in schools and keep students safe. I have already passed a bill (S7813A), that will allow law enforcement to charge any individual that discharges a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school, church or concert venue as a terrorist. The safety of our children and families has always been — and will continue to be — a top priority.”

Rep. John Faso, R-Kinderhook, said young people’s participation in public issues, such as school safety, is important and should be encouraged.

“The decision on whether leaving class during class time is the appropriate way to express opinions is best decided locally,” he said. “I am concerned about disruption of the school day and the loss of valuable academic time for all our students.”

State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, said she was proud to lend her support to the students, calling the gun epidemic a public health crisis and safety risk for every student.

“To ignore their efforts would be unconscionable,” she said. “They understand the gravity of the situation in a way many in power do not and are fighting to make their schools and communities safe for everyone.”

In response to the walkouts, Rep. Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, said the students sent a message to Washington.

“Do something!” she said. “Another life cannot be lost by a gun violence incident. We’ve got to take action.”

Additional reporting by Lanning Taliaferro/Patch Staff.

Photo credit: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.