US students to stage walkout against gun violence
WASHINGTON: One month to the day after a 19-year- old shooter unleashed a hail of gunfire at a Florida high school, tens of thousands of American students will stage a school walkout in a politically charged tribute to the victims.
The ‘National School Walkout’ begin yesterday at 10am that last 17 minutes — one for each victim shot dead during the Valentine’s Day massacre in Parkland.
The event to honor those slain at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is also an act of protest against the firearms violence plaguing the US, which has more than 30,000 gun-related deaths annually.
Organisers come from the same group behind the Women’s March, which in January 2017 saw millions of demonstrators take to the streets against Donald Trump’s White House inauguration.
Those launching calls for action, many under the hashtag #Enough, are urging measures including expanding the background check system for gun purchases and curbing sales of assault-style rifles.
“Students and staff have the right to teach and learn in an environment free from the worry of being gunned down in their classrooms or on their way home from school,” organisers wrote on their website.
“We are not safe at school. We are not safe in our cities and towns. Congress must take meaningful action to keep us safe and pass federal gun reform legislation,” the said, referring to ‘ the public health crisis of gun violence’.
The # Enough movement has also voiced resolute opposition to arming school staff members as a means of defence against future shootings.
Some staunch defenders of gun access floated that proposition in the wake of the Florida bloodbath — and just last week the southeastern state’s governor signed into law a measure that would pave the way for such a system, which Trump also favours.
Both the White House and Congress have shied away from putting forth major reforms on gun sales.
The Parkland shooter used an AR-15 military- style rifle, a type now being targeted by activists, who are also against high-capacity magazines.
Florida prosecutors announced their plans to seek the death penalty against the accused Florida gunman Nikolas Cruz, for 17 premeditated murders.
The 19-year- old shooter appeared in court yesterday was formally charged. His lawyers have indicated he would accept to plead guilty in exchange for guarantees that he would not face capital punishment.
Trump had momentarily signalled support for increasing restrictions, but now stands accused of bowing to the US gun lobby.
A new policy statement emphasised the US president’s motion to arm school personnel would make ‘sure our schools are safe and secure, just like our airports, stadiums and government buildings’. — AFP