PORT ANGELES — Students at schools across the North Olympic Peninsula are preparing to walk out of their schools Wednesday to protest Congress’ inaction on addressing gun violence at schools.
Students participating in the National School Walkout include those who attend Port Angeles High School, Stevens Middle School, Port Townsend High School, Blue Heron Middle School and Chimacum High School, according to teachers and students at each of the schools.
Eighth-grade students at Crescent School in Joyce had planned to write to their state and federal representatives at the same time.
Students from each of the schools participating in the walkouts have said they plan to walk out of school at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
They will stand in solidarity with thousands of students across the country during the 17-minute walkout — one minute for each person killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14.
Also on Wednesday is a community panel discussion set at the Port Angeles branch of the North Olympic Library System, 2210 S. Peabody St.
It will feature a panel of police, fire, school and mental health professionals at 6 p.m. in the Carver Room.
March for Our Lives
Some Port Angeles High School students have said they plan to attend the March 24 March for Our Lives in Seattle.
Folks For Change, a group in Forks, will hold a rally in Forks to support the march.
The rally will start with sign making at Sunshine and Rainbow Child Development, 945 S. Forks Ave., at 11 a.m. There there will be a rally in front of the Forks Transit Center from noon to 1 p.m.
Port Angeles High School students are also planning to participate in a second nationwide walkout April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
