Spring-Ford Students Plan Walkout In Call For Stricter Gun Laws

ROYERSFORD, PA — Spring-Ford students are planning a walkout in March to protest recent gun violence in schools and to call for stricter laws.

Student organizers said that they already have had more than 50 students RSVP to the event, which will coordinate with the National School Walkout day on March 14. They expect more as their social media campaign to raise awareness of the event gains traction.

The event is not a condemnation on the preparedness of Spring-Ford specifically, however.

"We feel, and others we’ve spoken to feel, our district is safe," said student Kirsten Evans, part of the committee organizing the walkout. "We have police officers on campus. Doors are locked and visitors need to be buzzed in. One of the issues we’ve spoken with friends about is what’s next. We are protected now with our current security, but until we have laws in place, can any institution be safe?"

Hundreds of similar walkouts have either taken place or been planned in the wake of the most recent massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. All told, 17 students, teachers, and coaches were killed and numerous people were injured in the Valentine's Day incident.

The national campaign does not point to specific legislation, characterizing their stance only as "meaningful federal gun reform," but does demand "more than tweets of thoughts and prayers" as a response.

The walkout at Spring-Ford will be at 10 a.m. on March 14, and will last for 17 minutes, to honor the 17 victims of the Florida shooting.

A spokesperson for the school district said that they were aware of the event, but it's not yet clear what kind of formal participation or cooperation there will be between students and faculty, staff, and administration.

Evans, along with fellow student committee members Bernie Chec and Tyler Ryan, hope to present a unified front.

"We hope that they feel passionate about this issue, the same way we do," Evans said. "It would mean a lot to the student body to see the teachers walk with us, and the administration respect what an important issue this is for both parties. We don’t want an atmosphere of us verse the administration, but all of us against gun violence."

AP Photo/Evan Vucci