By Vivian Yenson, Staff Writer
In response to the recent Florida shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, students around the country are participating in the #Enough! National School Walkout that will be taking place tomorrow at 10 a.m. across all time zones. This walkout will be protesting for stricter gun control laws; the idea originated with EMPOWER, the youth branch of the Women’s March. Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) students have also organized a walkout of their own that will take place at the Bowl and will be wearing black to show solidarity for the 17 victims. This walkout will last 17 minutes, one for each of the victims of the Parkland shooting.
According to our First Amendment, students do have the right to protest, as long as it is not disruptive or violent. However, students that chose to protest can face legitimate consequences if their schools are prohibiting participation. Schools are allowed to give students unexcused absences if they are supposed to be in class during that time. For FVHS, the walkout will take place during the school’s break after second period and cut two minutes into third period. Teachers can mark students as tardy if they arrive late to the following class period.
During the walkout, it is expected that it will be a peaceful protest. If the walkout becomes disruptive, the school can stop the protest and take punitive measures in order to ensure the students’ safety and maintain order. If students decide to leave campus, they can be punished, but punishments will be at the same level of severity as if a student left campus without permission on a normal school day. Students are not obliged to participate in the walkout and will in no way be punished for deciding not to do so.
In an email sent to students and teachers, Principal Dr. Morgan Smith advised students that “they will be responsible for their choice should they arrive late to class or truant if they choose to walk out. As long as our students remain on campus, we can protect them and support them.”
