Protestors stand in front of the University of Georgia Arch in North Campus on March 18, 2018, as part of the “March For Our Lives” movement. On Sept. 19, all Clarke County School District high schoolers’ emails were notified by admin of a walkout scheduled for the following day. “Although we support our students’ right to freedom of speech and expression, we must balance that against our responsibility as administrators to keep our students, staff, and school safe and secure,” the email reads. Photo courtesy of the ODYSSEY Media Group archives
A notification was sent to all CCSD high schoolers’ email addresses by admin on Sept. 19 pertaining to the organization of a statewide walkout on Sept. 20.
On Sept. 19, a notification by admin was sent out to all Clarke County School District high schoolers’ emails regarding a statewide walkout scheduled for Sept. 20 by the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition and Mobilize, a platform that encourages American citizens to participate in local political events.
The walkout was organized in support of Apalachee High School in Barrow County, GA, which was the target of a deadly school shooting on Sept. 4. The GYJC, which, according to their website, advocates for Georgia youth, first posted on Instagram about the event on Sept. 5.
“We’re walking out on September 20th,” the post reads. “We can’t succeed without student leaders organizing local walkouts. If you’re planning one, please let us know where through DM. We will only win when we do this together.”
The Clarke County School District’s email to high schoolers within CCSD on Sept. 19 is displayed above. The notice was issued to address a statewide walkout that was organized to show support for Apalachee High School in Barrow County, GA, which was recently affected by a school shooting. “Information about the walkout, being organized by Georgia Youth Justice Coalition and Mobilize, has been circulating among students and is readily available on several social media platforms,” the email reads. PDF courtesy of the CCSD
The CCSD notification was sent out at 2:48 p.m. and alerted students that while they were encouraged to utilize their right to freedom of speech, there are still restrictions as to what those participating can do.
“The time allowed for participation in the walkout will be limited to one hour,” the email reads. “After one hour, students will be expected to return to their regular schedule. Those who do not may face consequences in accordance with the CCSD Code of Student Conduct.”
“We will only win when we do this together,”
–Georgia Youth Justice Coalition
Students who participate in the walkout are not permitted to leave campus. If they do, they may incur disciplinary action and other consequences.
“Athens-Clarke County also has a Juvenile Daytime Curfew (Section 3-17), which ‘prohibits minors [anyone under the age of 18] from being upon the streets and other public places at certain daytime hours’ (8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on any school day),” the email reads.
For students who do not wish to participate in the walkout, class instruction will continue as normal.
