Peoria Public Schools says no to national student walkouts, students say yes

[ffr]

PPS says no to national student walkouts, students say yes


Two students at Peoria High School already had begun planning a student walkout to protest gun violence when Peoria Public Schools issued a statement announcing students and staff would not be participating in national protests planned in March and April.

The students, Teresa Manfra and Faela Pierce, say they still intend to organize a peaceful protest April 20 to push for stricter federal gun laws and show solidarity with survivors of the Parkland, Fla., high school where 14 students and three teachers were killed Feb. 14 when a gunman opened fire at the school.

“Just because the superintendent says the district isn’t going to protest doesn’t mean the protest should stop,” said Teresa Manfra. “Nobody ever gives you permission to protest.”
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Manfra and Pierce say they are not surprised by the district’s stance. Manfra said the point is to disrupt the complacency and legislative inaction surrounding gun control laws. “People with guns don’t wait until classes are over,” she added. - Journal Star, Peoria, IL

Tell me what democracy looks like?

[BigmanPigman]

1. As a teacher I would WALKOUT and bring other teachers with me.

I would even take the day off in protest. I was a union rep at my school and will be at my district Ed Center on March 14th with two other teachers. Schools are "walking out" in San Diego and the educators, parents, community members, local govt officials will be at the Ed Center to show support.
https://www.womensmarch.com/empower/

RESIST! #ENOUGH

THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE! .... "Hey hey, NRA, how many people did you kill today?"

[iluvtennis]

9. Exactly....love it.

[Phoenix61]

2. "asking for various reassurances"

Their superintendent sounds like a twit. They don't want their "various reassurances." They want their votes to ban assault style weapons so what happened in Parkland doesn't happen anywhere else.

[Farmer-Rick]

6. OMG working with their Senators and Representatives asking for various reassurances

Sure, isn't that what they already have, over and over, again and again, after each new massacre. They get various reassurances that it wont happen again and they will make changes. But nothing substantial ever happens. But they get various reassurances.

[aeromanKC]

3. Shame on School Superintendents supporting the NRA over their Students rights and safety

and Kudos for Colleges for stepping up for their prospective students!!

"Over 80 Colleges Have Told Students That Gun Control Protests Won't Negatively Impact Admissions"

[gratuitous]

4. Sometimes you pay a price for doing the right thing in a screwed up world

Go for it, Teresa and Faela.

[world wide wally]

5. Back off School District.

These kids are getting an education that can't be gotten in a classroom. You should not only be supporting them but encouraging them to participate. This is for your safety too.

[Yupster]

7. Protests have changed since I was young

Are you supposed to ask permission before going on a walkout?

I thought accepting the punishment that goes with it is part of the protest.

[X_Digger]

11. No shit, right? Civil disobedience is supposed to have consequences. n/t

[avebury]

8. Schools should be viewing the national walkout as a great learning

opportunity - civic engagement, free speech, the importance of the right to vote and so on.

[Turbineguy]

10. There are times....

When your position is to at least take no position.

[Nevernose]

12. Nationwide march

On March 24th, FWIW. Flights to and hotels in are still affordable.

[SaintLouisBlues]

13. Will the protest play in Peoria? As the saying goes, if it plays in Peoria it will play everywhere

[raven mad]

14. Ask me about getting suspended in 1971 for a candle sit-down student strike.

Austin E. Lathrop High School, Fairbanks, Alaska.............

Yep, "and a little child shall lead them".

[raven mad]

15. OH! OH! I forgot -

Anyone who hasn't done the Dixie-Cup candle thing is missing out. We also used sparklers........

[Maraya1969]

16. Peoria public schools do not get to make that decision! This is

1st amendment issue. They cannot penalize any kid for anything more than just skipping school

How dare they even say such a thing