By Ryan Spoehr
SLN STAFF
Students across the country exercised their First Amendment rights Wednesday morning as a part of the walkout planned in schools in protest of Congress’ inaction on gun laws.
It happened at 10 a.m. and students participated in 17 minutes of silence for victims of last month’s shooting in Florida, and some even gave formal speeches in the area.
In northern Walworth and southern Jefferson counties, walkouts were smaller than in some areas, and there were no participants in one school district.
In Whitewater, there were participants at the high and middle schools. Superintendent Mark Elworthy reported that there approximately 50 to 75 students who participated in the walkout at the high school and 60 at the middle school.
“They kind of observed the 17 minutes and went back to class,” Elworthy said.
Elworthy said the total number of students equated to about 10 percent of the student population.
It was much different in the Palmyra-Eagle School District, where no students walked out, District Administrator Steve Bloom said.
Police presence
There was a police presence at Palmyra-Eagle Area High School/Middle School, but no incidents were reported.
Whitewater Police Chief Lisa Otterbacher said Wednesday morning that there would be a slight increase in patrols by her department just in case any incidents occurred in Whitewater.
“We would only suggest that if students participate in the walkout that they do it safely, and safety is the priority,” Otterbacher said.
Although no students participated in the walkout at Palmyra-Eagle, area adults were ready nearby to offer their support.
“I was hoping they would come out so I could support them,” one passer-by said.
“It’s too bad,” another said. “It’s a good thing to show the First Amendment right.”
Bloom not only reported there were no participants in Wednesday’s walkout in his district, but attendance overall was better than most days. He said one student left for an unrelated excused absence.
“There was no one who left who was unaccounted for,” Bloom said. “Our absenteeism was better than most days.”
Other Southeastern Wisconsin schools had different turnouts. There were 300 students reported at the walkout at Delavan-Darien High School. Wilmot High School also reported 300 student participants in its walkout.
In Waterford, there were two separate walkouts, one being the 17-minute silence for the victims. A second was conducted that included a 60-minute demonstration that included handouts about Second Amendment rights.
Union Grove reported 170 students participating in the walkout.
