Walkout abstentions reflect diversity of opinion

As school stopped for 17 minutes during the walkout, many classrooms were empty. But in some, one or two students remained.

These students who abstained from the walkout did so for many different reasons. Cody Miller, senior, said that he felt pressured to participate to make a statement.

“Even though I had Study Time, I still had Youtube videos to watch, and I don’t think that anything will change if I walk to the bus loop,” Miller said. “I don’t need to prove to anyone else that I respect the kids who died at Parkland.”

Because administration provided accommodations for students participating in the walkout such as unlocking the doors and allowing classes to pause, this led to more students walking out to support the movement. All teachers were given directions to join their students outside if their whole class walked out, but some also had to stay behind if any students decided to stay behind.

Bruce Russell Jr., senior, said he participated in the walkout for different reasons than most, and that he understand the collective pressure to participate.

“Although I don’t agree with most of the other students on the gun control changes that some want this march to accomplish, I will walkout because I want to respect and mourn the students who were killed at Parkland,” Russell said.