Phoenixville HS Walkout: Students Protest Gun Violence Wednesday

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Hundreds of Phoenixville High School students walked out of school Wednesday morning in a call for stricter gun laws.

The 17-minute walkout was one of hundreds held across the nation Wednesday at 10 a.m. as part of the National School Walkout. The event is in honor of the 17 victims massacred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine's Day.

But it's meant to be more than a memorial. While the national campaign does not point to specific legislation, characterizing their stance only as "meaningful federal gun reform," it does specifically demand "more than tweets of thoughts and prayers" as a response.

Organizers are also planning an open forum after school to discuss school safety.

"Thank you so much for braving the cold and walking out with us," organizers wrote on the event's Instagram page. "We hope to see you after school to discuss further action!"

While many school districts held indoor events or other symbolic gestures to show solidarity with the national movement, Phoenixville students actually walked outside, gathering in the parking lot outside of the school.

The Phoenixville Area School District has issued a public statement saying that students will not be disciplined for taking part in the walkout. Attendance will be taken prior to and following the walkout, the district said.

While some students in nearby school districts received support from their administrations, others, like students at Spring-Ford and Council Rock, will face consequences for doing so.

Editor's note: a previous version of this story stated that the district did not have a position on the walkout. That is incorrect. The district will not be disciplining students for taking part in the event.

Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images