(Students at Great Mills HS gathering to remember their slain classmate on the day of the walkout. (Photo by Mollie Davis))
Lane Murdock, a student at Ridgefield High School in Connecticut, and some of her peers organized another anti-gun violence student walkout for April 20, 2018, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine massacre.
https://twitter.com/MaxCumming/status/987358487763177472
Much as they did last month on March 14, students across the country marked the day by walking out of class, holding moments of silence, giving speeches, holding rallies, honoring the dead, marching to their capitols, and more.
https://twitter.com/Emma4Change/status/987332843536871424
Just participated in my school's version of the #walkout I feel empowered but also that I should do more. A lot of emotions going through me currently. pic.twitter.com/VsjsN8k3km
— Redacted Last Name (@Trollsgotohatem) April 20, 2018
Here’s a snapshot of the 4/20 #NationalStudentWalkout — based entirely on the reports of students themselves.
Great Mills remembers
Great Mills students remembered the classmate they lost to gun violence one month ago. (Photo by Mollie Davis)
Students at Great Mills High School in southern Maryland didn’t just walk out — they held a remembrance for their classmate Jaelynn Willey, who was shot to death at school exactly one month ago, on March 20.
Yesterday, a few Great Mills students went to Capitol Hill to meet with their U.S. senators and talk about gun violence, including Mollie Davis, whose tweet during the shooting went viral.
Today I had the pleasure of meeting with students from @GMHS_SMCPS to discuss #GunSafety. Because #EnoughIsEnough.
Thank you for lending your voices and your energy to keep this cause on the front-burner. You and your generation will change minds – and our country. pic.twitter.com/lX4OSkoO5h
— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) April 19, 2018
Davis spoke at today’s event as well.
(Part 1/2) Everyone who knows me knows that public speaking is *not* my thing. Seeing as I have a stutter and anxiety it’s not a surprise. But since what happened at my school I have found it comes easier, as sad as that is. Don’t forget about Great Mills. #EnoughIsEnough pic.twitter.com/IX5YS3bgRW
— mollie davis (@davism0llie) April 20, 2018
Before the walkout, she shared her thoughts with Youth Radio, along with two other student leaders, Zak Lanis of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Isra Hirsi of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Because there are thousands of people who can’t walk out … because their lives have been taken.”
3 students – @israhirsi @lanis_81 and #greatmillsshooting survivor @davism0llie – share why they’re doing the #NationalSchoolWalkout: pic.twitter.com/yjWGGyiLIa
— youthradio (@youthradio) April 20, 2018
Other schools remembered community victims of gun violence as well.
Two-minute moment of silence outside MCHS, where the whole school gathered to remember Bailey Holt and Preston Cope. Credit: Keaton Conner pic.twitter.com/SzDxbOecyO
— Taylor (@pckflwrsntfghts) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/maleninnial/status/987348923437277184
Walkouts — and more — swept the nation
Turnout this time around was expected to be lower than last month, but still, thousands of students nationwide walked out and rallied.
walkout @ 10am in the band field rt to save a life#fisdwalkout #notonemore pic.twitter.com/O5wKctUEzJ
— mariana herreria (@mariana_h30) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/starskia/status/987339148141973504
#NationalSchoolWalkout pic.twitter.com/L10ro0yG7J
— alyssa (@ssyl_a) April 20, 2018
Thank you to everyone who joined our Walkout today! It was amazing to see how much love we have for one another and together we can do anything! #bethechange #enoughisenough pic.twitter.com/oXFAB0UJkx
— FHS Students for Change (@fhsS4C) April 20, 2018
Look at this turnout! Thank you Ravens! pic.twitter.com/8ebsSW8FeC
— ONW Student Walkout (@ONWWalkout) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/marykateclegg/status/987352901810098176
My school walked out in protest against gun violence today. The district didn’t support us walking out who cares!? It’s our lives being taken, and it’s up to us to move to change it. #NationalSchoolWalkout #MarchForOurLives #FallsSaysEnough pic.twitter.com/gfXWt4MTKj
— ave 🫧 (@curlsintheskyy) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/sparklyrach/status/987372519937200157
https://twitter.com/maysenmoon_/status/987369164829614080
So proud to be a part of the future. More people than I thought. And my principal was so supportive of us that we won't get counted as tardy if we write a letter to our state legislator. #NationalSchoolWalkout #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/UTLTocnvNX
— Abba Saunders (@abbacadabraaaa) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/___alondraaa12/status/987375823610109953
https://twitter.com/_vricardo/status/987372532255920128
https://twitter.com/jmilner1012/status/987406600141881344
https://twitter.com/lanis_81/status/987491860791812096
Some students walked out alone
Or nearly alone.
I’m the only person that walked out, because i care about our safety pic.twitter.com/g87u9FuBpt
— WFHS Walkout (@WFHSWalkout) April 20, 2018
I am all alone at my school, but I know I am not alone. #nationalschoolwalkout #columbine pic.twitter.com/1zozqfKIYw
— Havana Chapman-Edwards (@TheTinyDiplomat) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/Niallsdaises/status/987343550550560770
#NationalSchoolWalkout I have to stand for what I believe in, even if I have to stand alone. pic.twitter.com/ADHoYiGPNw
— Brendon Urie Hate Account (@missteenlesbian) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/maxhateslife/status/987334084287455232
https://twitter.com/TicoDolan/status/987332401289486336
She says she and only one other walked out at her school #NationalSchoolWalkout https://t.co/0FNmFn9OQD
— YR Media (@itsYRmedia) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/simerjitk119/status/987381310174965763
https://twitter.com/cap_afghanistan/status/987387876894806016
Though Justin Blackman, who went viral last month for walking out alone, had a crowd join him this time.
Justin Blackman walked out alone last month – he's not 👏alone 👏this 👏time! #NationalSchoolWalkout https://t.co/pZrSAdKB3U
— YR Media (@itsYRmedia) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/behotajota/status/987356103985041408
While many faced consequences at school
Many risked getting in trouble — or chose to just participate in spirit.
This student says she got suspended for organizing her school's walkout 👇#NationalSchoolWalkout https://t.co/qe8Pqfg9zp
— YR Media (@itsYRmedia) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/RealJarHead11/status/987333593163882497
We may not be allowed to physically participate in the #NationalSchoolWalkout because our school @KellerCentralHS and @KHSIndianNation have received threats of violence if we do, but we are participating mentally! #NeverAgain
— Kindyl De Keyrel (@itskindyl) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/Lonely_Baker/status/987342582928855044
https://twitter.com/artbIues/status/987348527553699840
https://twitter.com/paigexxmendes/status/987352681466474496
https://twitter.com/The_JCrochet/status/987354283145334784
Some put the focus on urban gun violence …
… As well as police brutality and other ways people of color are disproportionately affected by gun violence.
https://twitter.com/mere_graham/status/987353344028168192
This was the focus of a group of marchers in Philadelphia, among others.
https://twitter.com/zill_elcin/status/987349462115811328
And others devoted the day to community service or voter registration
That’s the tradition of Columbine High School for marking this sad anniversary — and many community members carried it out today.
Shout out to all of our lacrosse players, who are honoring today by doing community service. pic.twitter.com/houVj5uxJY
— Columbine Boy's Lacrosse (@CHSRebels_BLax) April 20, 2018
Day of community service…#NationalWalkoutDay #ColumbineHighSchool pic.twitter.com/1FGGMwgx94
— Rescue Puppies (@Katleated18) April 20, 2018
Remember after you guys walk out, volunteer! Spend the rest of your day working in your community. This is also a day of service in remembrance of the Columbine Victims. #NationalSchoolWalkout
— David Hogg 🟧 (@davidhogg111) April 20, 2018
Some helped people register to vote.
https://twitter.com/WyattStensrud/status/987376224165965824
I spent today participating in the #NationalSchoolWalkout and helped make change in my community by helping others register to vote! hbu??? pic.twitter.com/9V5lfmgfXq
— Em:) (@emilykilbourne) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/ialexfiscal/status/987413585239437312
Meanwhile, some chose not to walk out
Ruby Noboa is among those who feels that while the #NeverAgain movement is doing good, it isn’t focused on the issues she feels are most important. She walked out last month, but she chose not to today.
Ruby Noboa (@gaytrappunzel) of the Bronx isn't doing the #NationalSchoolWalkout – she feels "these walkouts are not for me." #urbangunviolence #policebrutality #BLM pic.twitter.com/GckAhNROSJ
— YR Media (@itsYRmedia) April 20, 2018
And students like Alexis Buxton stayed in school because they are strong supporters of the Second Amendment and while they too want students to be safe in school, they don’t feel included in the #NeverAgain rhetoric they hear.
Alexis Buxton is a HS student in the small town of Scott City, Kansas, where proud gun ownership is prevalent. She's pro #2A & says #NeverAgain doesn't represent her & she's not doing #NationalSchoolWalkout: pic.twitter.com/RQ9u0gQOkT
— YR Media (@itsYRmedia) April 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/bclouser23/status/987381626383593473
Did you know there was a school shooting today?
Yes, today. One student at Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, was shot and injured this morning.
Some students can't participate in the #NationalSchoolWalkout because they are barricaded in.
This is a photo from Forest High School in Ocala, Florida where a shooting occured this morning. https://t.co/4rYM0XWYwS
— Ted Corcoran (RedTRaccoon) (@RedTRaccoon) April 20, 2018
Fortunately, no one was killed. But still.
Forest High School. My cousins high school. It’s been 19 years since Columbine and now this happens. I don’t wanna believe it. I still don’t. We don’t need guns. We don’t need violence.
— Gabe Glassman (@GabeGlassman) April 20, 2018