NJ students stage school walkout in support of Florida shooting victims

<p>Students at several schools in New Jersey staged walkouts Wednesday in a show of solidarity for the victims of the Florida high school shooting.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 21, 2018, 11:41 PM

Updated 2,261 days ago

Share:

Students at several schools in New Jersey staged walkouts Wednesday in a show of solidarity for the victims of the Florida high school shooting.
"No kid should have to fear going to school. That's the sad part, and if the adults aren't going to do something about it then it's time the future generation stands up and says ‘This is what we want and if you're not going to give it to us then we're going to do it ourselves,’" said Southern Regional High School student Laura Esposito.
Students at Southern Regional High walked out of school at noon Wednesday and held a short, peaceful but strong protest regarding gun violence in schools. They also remembered the 17 people killed last week at a high school in southern Florida.
“The captain of the swim team, the Junior ROTC kid who held the door open, those are my people, and it just made me realize that this could be me,” Esposito says.
While the high school walkout was happening, middle-schoolers across the street also participated.
“Seeing them over, I started crying,” said high school student Kyra Zdep.”It's a very great thing when you have more than one school participating, getting together and all that. It was a great thing to see."
Southern Regional High School officials said that they were supportive of the rally and the students’ passion.
“I talked to them this morning about [how] it's easy to yell and this is the first shout, but going forward, how do you sustain the momentum about such an important project?” said chief school administrator Craig Henry.
Sen. Bob Menendez also expressed support and tweeted, “So proud of students in NJ and across the US for taking a stand against gun violence. I am listening. I hear you.”
The walkout comes as Florida students rally at the state’s Capitol calling for change to national gun laws and calling for great safety at schools.


More from News 12
10:39
Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at Stony Brook University

Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at Stony Brook University

1:47
Sun and warm temps through end of workweek, rain possible this weekend

Sun and warm temps through end of workweek, rain possible this weekend

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:13
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

0:27
MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

1:46
What's Cooking: Steak Taco

What's Cooking: Steak Taco

2:57
Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state

2:01
US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

0:33
Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

0:53
USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments