Rallies, chants, moments of silence mark local school walkouts

SOUTHEASTERN NC (WWAY) — Thousands of students from across the area got up out of class and walked out the door at precisely 10:00 a.m.

United in their stance to speak out about gun violence and to honor the 17 victims of the Parkland, Florida school shooting.

At Hoggard High School in New Hanover County, more than 200 students gathered at the central courtyard.

Seventeen students spoke on behalf of those lives lost in Florida.

They asked for change. They asked for reform. There were signs with a variety of phrases like ‘stop the silence, say no to gun violence’ and ‘thoughts and prayers are not enough.’

“Our safety is not a privilege. It is a given. We should be able to go to school without having to worry if we are going to lose our lives,” Alex Pechlivanidis said.

One of the students who spoke emphasized that this generation is bent on making change.

“I refuse to accept this as a price of our freedom. I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, but i am changing the things I cannot accept. We will be the generation to end mass shootings,” Fletcher Williams said.

They also held a moment of silence.

Members of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and faculty also stood around during the walkout.

Over at UNCW, hundreds of students and staff gathered at the clock tower for the event.

At 10:17 a.m., the clock tower began chiming 17 times for the Parkland victims.

Some university students bowed their head, some cried, while others stood in silence.

Student Lucinda Boyd says in addition to more gun control, everyone needs to do more to help those with mental illness.

“A lot of the violence that is done with a gun, is done by the hands of people who have mental illness. I think that sometimes we just overlook that,” Boyd said. “We overlook that mental illness and that we need to actually pay attention to those that we love.”

No matter how it’s done, a common goal is shared.

“We need to educate ourselves and we need to continue with even the politics that are now within two years, if there’s still an issue,” Kaylyn Koone said.

After 17 minutes, everyone went back to class and continued with their day but united in this movement.

New Hanover County Schools Deputy Superintendent Rick Holliday was at Hoggard and said he was happy with how students acted during the walkout. There were also walkouts in both Brunswick and Pender counties. In Brunswick County, media was not allowed on campus.