Shaker Heights Students Walkout For Gun Control

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Despite the biting winds and flurries of snow, students at Shaker Heights High School silently filed out onto the football field on Wednesday morning. Bundled in winter coats, gloves and scarves, students held a 17-minute moment of silence while standing in a circle on the turf, a minute of silence for each victim of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

"The students [in Parkland] were so similar to the people that we know. It’s shocking. I was overwhelmed at first. I felt like it was just going to keep happening and happening, no matter how bad it gets," said senior Rachel Podl, one of the leaders of the walkout. "At a certain point though, you have to ask yourself, “If not me, who?”

While participation in the walkout was not mandatory, it certainly appeared as if the vast majority of students filed onto the football field. Some residents gathered outside the fence surrounding the turf, eager to watch the event despite the nasty winter weather. One resident said she was there to "bear witness" to what the kids were trying to do.

Watch video of the walk, taken live, below:

The walkout is part of a national movement that saw students across the nation engage in some form of protest or show of solidarity with the victims. "This is bringing people together," Podl told Patch. "We want to give people a sense of agency."

"This walk-out is in solidarity with the victims of Parkland. This isn’t like we’re saying down with assault weapons or anything like that. We’re just trying to show our support," she said.

Still, with the tense political atmosphere, security at the walkout was crucial for the administration. Shaker Heights police vehicles blockaded streets around the high school during the walkout, forcing traffic to detour. Officers also sat in unmarked cars near the athletic field, while school security did short patrols up and down Aldersyde and adjacent streets (one security officer even stopped this reporter to ask for identification).

While some districts have been less than enthused with the planned walkout, Shaker Heights Schools, and the Shaker Heights Teacher's Association, have offered their support to students planning to participate.

"Shaker has a long, rich history of student and community activism, and we encourage students to get involved in issues about which they are passionate. However, we have also asked our students to work in coordination with our teachers, administrators and staff to ensure a safe and constructive event," said a letter to Shaker families from district officials and the Shaker Heights Teacher's Association.

The district is also not pressuring students or staff to participate. "While the District and the SHTA strongly support this action at our High School, we will respect and support any student or teacher who does not want to participate. There will be supervision and support for students who choose to stay in the building during this brief, 17-minute period," the letter said.

Parents have been respectfully asked not to attend the event.

Photo from Google Earth