National Student Gun Walkout: CHUH Schools Will Support Students

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — Students across the nation are planning a 17-minute walkout protest on March 14. Teenagers will be lobbying for stricter gun regulations in the wake of the Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead. The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools have now said they will support students that choose to protest.

Heights High students will walk out during their third period, which start at 10 a.m., and meet on the football field. Students will lead a ceremony on the field to both memorialize those killed in Parkland, Florida and call for action on stricter gun control legislation. Students will then have the opportunity to register to vote after the walkout.

Meanwhile, students at both the Delisle Options Center and Heights Middle School will hold their own protests. Delisle students will march around their campus, while middle schoolers gather in the cafeteria to have a discussion about gun violence and common sense legislation.

"I have received many messages asking about the district’s position on the National School Walkout event on March 14. CH-UH has a long history of student activism, which we as a district support. We always encourage our students to get involved in issues that they are passionate about. This case is no different," Superintendent Talisa Dixon said in a letter to families.

She did add that district officials are asking students to work with building leaders to ensure the safety of all students and maintain orderliness throughout the day. Dixon has also spoken extensively about the district's safety and prevention plans for gun-violence events.

"Cleveland Heights has a tradition of student activism," Dixon said at the State of the Schools address. She added that she wants students to organize themselves and prevent chaos, but she will not hinder students for standing up for what they believe is right.

Neighboring Shaker Heights has also been publicly supportive of the students walk-out event. Both the Shaker Heights Schools, and the Shaker Heights Teacher's Association, have offered their support to students planning to participate.

Photo from Shutterstock