PORT TOWNSEND — Students at Port Townsend High School, Blue Heron Middle School and the Chimacum School District participated in the National School Walkout on Wednesday to remember students and staff killed at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School exactly one month ago.
The 17-minute demonstrations were a way for students to denounce gun violence and bring attention to the national conversation about safety, they said.
At Port Townsend High School, a steady rain did not deter some 300 students who gathered on the campus baseball field.
Some held signs calling for an end to school violence.
Organizers Hannah Marks and Ingrid Schultz from the Students for Sustainability group rallied their fellow classmates and asked them to form a human peace sign.
Students showed their respect during several minutes of silence.
Speakers Lilly Carrilo, Liv Crecca and Anika Avelino encouraged students, through a bullhorn, to stand up against school violence.
The walkout lasted about half an hour.
Parents, grandparents and interested adults lined the fence with supporting signs and applause and encouraged the students to speak out. Several said they were proud of the way the students handled themselves.
“Adults in the U.S. have been unable to stand up and stop gun violence,” said Estelle Codier of Port Townsend. “If the young people are standing up now, how can we not at least stand with them and support them with the way we vote?
”It is, after all, they who are killed if we do not.”
Sgt. Troy Surber of the Port Townsend Police Department said the event was without incident.
“I’m really proud of the kids in the district,” he said. “They got together and participated in the midst of a torrential downpour. The adults showed their respect and support for the kids and allowed them to have their event. We brought in extra officers to make sure the kids were safe to exercise their First Amendment rights.”
At Blue Heron Middle School, Principal Patrick Gaffney said more than half the student body, about 200 students, stood silently in the rain for 17 minutes. He said students from every grade level participated.
“They all found out how powerful silence can be,” Gaffney said.
“I’m proud of the way the kids handled it and proud of the kids who chose to stay in class. They stood up for something they believe in and their maturity showed.”
Students Jeanette Patrick and Linnea Harrington were among those who participated in the walkout.
“It was completely silent and respectful,” Patrick said.
Said Harrington: “It’s important to show a lot more people than they think care. Arming teachers is not a good solution. It would make us feel more safe if no guns are involved.”
Erica Mack, parent of fourth- and sixth-graders at Blue Heron Middle School and grandmother Virginia Nixon, were there to support the children. Mack said there were about 50 adult supporters at the school.
“This is one of the most powerful things I’ve witnessed,” Nixon said. “To have a group of young students stand still in that pouring rain with no raincoat, no umbrella. Just standing in silence. The message I got was a request to keep us safe.”
Mack noted a group of three students, drenched by rain, who stood silently with a sign that read, “Enough is Enough.”
“That was very powerful,” she said.
After the demonstration, the adults applauded the students as they filed back into the school.
In the Chimacum School District, the heavy rain subsided just in time for more than 100 students to participate in a walkout.
Parent Kelly Brebberman said the students filed out quietly and orderly, then stood facing the building.
“Everyone stood in silence, including 30 adults that came to support the students,” Brebberman said.
“People joined hands and made a large circle. It was very touching and powerful. We kept holding hands for about 10 minutes.”
She said several students and parents were crying, overcome with emotion.
At the end of 17 minutes, organizer Ferrin Olson Noble started a chant, “We Want Change,” that lasted for five minutes.
“I thought it was an awesome display, and I’m grateful to those who showed up from the community to support us. They were here to change our schools,” Noble said.
“It’s comforting and powerful to know that it isn’t just me, that there are a bunch of kids and adults across the county who feel the same way.”
Noble reported that a small group of counter protesters stood silently and respectfully, holding a sign that read, “NRA for America.”
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Jeannie McMacken can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@peninsuladailynews.com
Port Townsend High School students walk out of classes Wednesday to rally at the baseball field. The half-hour demonstration included a silent tribute and a rally cry for something to be done. The students formed a human peace sign before returning to class. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)
Student Bryan Fenton displays the sign he made to carry during the walkout at Port Townsend High School. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)
Community supporters rallied at Port Townsend High School to support the student walkout Wednesday. About 75 people held signs and cheered on the students as they demonstrated to bring awareness to gun violence in schools. (Jeannie McMacken/Peninsula Daily News)
