Women’s March Youth EMPOWER is calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods. We need action. Students and allies are organizing the national school walkout to demand Congress pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence at our schools, on our streets and in our homes and places of worship.

Gun violence can impact anybody, anywhere in the United States. The recent shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School occurred in a community which had been named Florida's safest town just last year. This is a familiar title to our town: Madison consistently earns a spot within New Jersey's 50 safest towns, as do many of our neighboring towns. We must show solidarity to Americans impacted by gun violence, and we must challenge Congress to create solutions to this public health crisis tearing apart communities across America.

At Madison High School, we walk out because students and staff have the right to teach and learn in an environment free from the fear of being gunned down in their classrooms or on their way home from school. At Madison High School, we walk out because parents have the right to send their kids to school in the mornings and welcome them home alive at the end of the day.

We are not safe at school. We are not safe in our cities and towns.  We want Congress to pay attention and take note: many of us will vote this November and many others will join in 2020. Through our votes, our calls, our letters, and now through participating in this #NationalSchoolWalkout, we reject Congress's normalization of gun violence, and demand that Congress takes meaningful action to keep us safe and pass federal gun reform legislation that address the public health crisis of gun violence.

Join us in saying #ENOUGH!

This event will occur at Madison High School in NJ, and is open to all Madison High School students, and staff. Press should contact the superintendent for information about attending the walkout. Other persons will not be permitted to attend for the security of the students.