Pittsburgh-Area School Walkouts Proceed Peacefully

PITTSBURGH, PA - High school students locally and nationally walked out of school today to protest gun violence, lobby for stricter gun control regulations and/or pay tribute to the 17 people slain last month at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

n Parkland, students filed past a school fence that has been turned into a memorial for the victims of the Feb. 14 shootings. They chanted "MSD" — for Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — then gathered in a circle to sing a song several students wrote after the shooting.

Here’s how some Pittsburgh-area high schools observed the National School Walkout:

• Pittsburgh CAPA: Students formed a human chain around the Downtown building.

• Pittsburgh Allderdice: Students walked out to a designated area of the campus.

• Seneca Valley: Students congregated outside the Jackson Township secondary campus.

• Peters Township: High school students left the building. Middle school students held a tribute to the victims inside.

• North Hills : Gathered at designated area at the high school and middle school campuses.

• Canon-McMillan: Walked on the football field wearing orange shirts displaying the word “Enough.” Students sold the shirts for $10 and are donating a portion of the proceeds to charity.

• Upper St. Clair: In the school gym, the name of each victim was read and a few details were offered about their personality and interests, followed by a moment of silence. A student read the poem, "Life is Like a Roller Coaster," written by one of the student victims just days before the tragedy.

• Greensburg Salem: Students gathered in the gym where they wrote postcards to politicians, signed petitions and released 17 balloons to honor the shooting victims.

Photo via Shutterstock.