District Expects Students To Join National Walkouts March 14

HILLSBORO, OR — A number of public demonstrations are scheduled to take place this week as students and teachers across the nation plan organized walkouts to protest and memorialize the shooting the occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Feb. 14.

Following the deaths of 17 people at the hands of yet another school shooter, teens and adults have joined together to call on U.S. congressmen and women to enact stricter gun control laws at the federal level, such as requiring universal background checks and altogether banning assault-style military rifles, like the AR-15.

Despite inaction from federal legislators in the month since the tragic shooting, businesses nationwide have taken it upon themselves to raise the age limit for purchasing firearms as well as removing assault rifles from their inventories. This action has been met with widespread criticism from both sides of the gun argument.

Locally, law enforcement and school districts are bracing for student demonstrations planned for March 14, March 24, and April 20.

The ENOUGH National School Walkout will be held at 10 a.m. March 14, exactly one month from the Florida shooting, and is expected to last 17 minutes — one minute for each life lost.

The Hillsboro School District reportedly expects walkouts at all four primary high schools (Century, Liberty, Glencoe, and Hilhi) and anticipate the same from several middle schools — though they're unsure of any definite plans at lower grade levels.

"While we are not endorsing or sponsoring the walkouts, we are trying to be proactive and responsive to what we’ve heard from our students," HSD spokeswoman Beth Graser said in an email. "There is a fine line to walk between enforcing normal school rules (for example, being in class) and honoring students’ rights to freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly.

"We have encouraged students to make their voices heard in other ways, such as writing to their elected officials, hosting voter registration drives, and/or participating in activities outside of school hours," Graser continued, "but understand their desire to participate in the manner prescribed for the national effort: walking out at 10 a.m. and remaining silent for 17 minutes to honor the 17 victims in Parkland, Florida."

Hillsboro's official announcement from Superintendent Mike Scott also included mentions of other demonstrations planned for later this month and late April, including:

• The March for Our Lives in downtown Portland March 24 at 10 a.m., beginning at Terry Schrunk Plaza, 431 S.W. Madison St.; and
• The April 20 walkout in honor and memorial of the victims at Columbine, which occurred April 20, 1999.

Additionally, Hillsboro School District officials put together the Keeping Students Safe webpage on the district website, which offers several resources for students and parents regarding all-things safety.

Hillsboro's join nearly 50 other schools in the Portland metro region, from elementary to college, that have announced some plan to participate in the walkout events.

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