Thousands of schools around the nation participated in The National School Walkout on Wednesday.
The walkout was formed to protest current gun laws, and to honor the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that took place in Parkland, Fla. last month.
Several schools in Alabama participated in the walkout by leaving their classes at 10 a.m. to stand outside in silence for 17 minutes to honor the students and faculty members who lost their lives.
Huffman High School students added and extra minute of silence in honor of their classmate Courtlin Arrington.
Here are some of Alabama’s reaction’s to the National Walkout:
WIAT CBS 42 (via Twitter):
PHOTOS: Schools in central Alabama participate in National School Walkout Day https://t.co/32TiisICKI
— WIAT CBS42 (@WIAT42) March 14, 2018
Nicole Fierro, WPMI NBC 15 (via Twitter):
NOW: Students are showing signs, linking arms and wearing black and orange at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Sciences. They are joining thousands across the country participating in a national walk out to protest gun violence. @mynbc15 #Nationalwalkout #WalkoutWednesday pic.twitter.com/sDI5cc7XCw
— Nicole Fierro (@FierroNicole) March 14, 2018
Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (via Twitter):
In honor of Courtlin Arrington, age 17, of Huffman High School in Birmingham,AL I joined the students for today’s #EnoughIsEnoughDMV event at the Capitol. #NeverAgain #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/PE270jby3V
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) March 14, 2018
Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Bryne (via Facebook):
Lee County (AL) Dems (via Twitter):
Students in Atlanta take a knee to protest gun violence on day of national walkout https://t.co/NbUzYlSUr4
— Lee County (AL) Dems (@LCDCAlabama) March 14, 2018
State House Democratic Leader Anthony Daniels (via statement):
“Those students who marched in the streets in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963 so their collective voices could be heard helped change the course of history in our state and in our nation. One day we will look back and point to yesterday’s student walk out aimed at bringing attention to the senseless violence gripping our nation as a turning point in our effort to make our country a safer place for our children, our families and all those who live and work here.
So I support their cause, their commitment and their rights under the First Amendment to push back against those who want to protect policies and programs that do not work and endanger us all. I pray our elected leadership will listen and respond to these students. They deserve to learn in an environment free from fear and anxiety.”