Today Gwinnett SToPP sent a letter to Gwinnett School Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks urging him to change the bell schedule to accommodate students wanting to engage in national protests around gun violence.

The National School Walkout, takes place March 14th and specifically commemorates the 17 students killed last month in Parkland, Florida (the month 3 + the date 14 = 17) at 10:00 am in each time zone across the country. Students are encouraged to spend 17 minutes writing congressmen or otherwise commemorating those lost.

The National High School Walkout takes place on April 20th, the anniversary of the Columbine shooting.

Gwinnett SToPP Executive Director Marlyn Tillman, reiterated that social change is often initiated through student activism and it is an important lesson in civic engagement and participation for students to use their voices and spend their time in peaceful protest without fear of disciplinary actions.

Download a copy of the letter or the press release.