David Hogg had announced a walkout over guns. A walkout that was planned for April 20th, the 19th anniversary of the shooting deaths of Columbine students.
Things didn’t go quite as Hogg has planned. The students at Columbine did not want to walk out of school. They have made it a day to volunteer, not to complain about guns.
They sent Hogg a letter to that effect. Hogg is telling his followers that everyone else will be still walking out.
This time not just students, he is urging everyone to walk out of work or anywhere else they happen to be. I wonder if that includes prisons because that could cause troubles.
After learning of a letter written by from current principal Scott Christy and former principal Frank DeAngelis expressing the hope that Friday’s anniversary would be about honoring the victims instead of protesting, Hogg took to Twitter to post another tweet and apologize, posting the letter with it.
“I’m sorry for my miscommunication yesterday I said that we should all walk out of wherever you are on 4/20 that was a mistake on my end and is no longer the case,” Hogg said in a now-deleted tweet. “This is what the Columbine community would like to see on 4/20. #DayOfService.”
Some students at Columbine did take part in the first National School Walkout.
“We are still walking out however the Columbine community will be committing 4/20 to volunteering Once again we are still walking out We are still walking out We are still walking out We are still walking out @schoolwalkoutUS has been working incredibly hard on this”
We are still walking out however the Columbine community will be committing 4/20 to volunteering
Once again we are still walking out
We are still walking out
We are still walking out
We are still walking out @schoolwalkoutUS has been working incredibly hard on this— David Hogg ☮️ (@davidhogg111) April 16, 2018
“The #NationalWalkOut is happening on 4/20 (Friday) in 1100+ schools across the country — Walkout as a community to stand up against gun violence. The people of Columbine would like you to follow your demonstration with community service. #DemandChange #NationalSchoolWalkout”
The #NationalWalkOut is happening on 4/20 (Friday) in 1100+ schools across the country — Walkout as a community to stand up against gun violence. The people of Columbine would like you to follow your demonstration with community service. #DemandChange #NationalSchoolWalkout
— David Hogg ☮️ (@davidhogg111) April 16, 2018
Jason E. Glass, superintendent of Jeffco public schools posted a letter to Hogg explaining that Columbine prefers a positive approach to the anniversary of their shooting in 1999.
They volunteer for charities all over the area for the day and although he wrote about school safety, he did not mention opposing the second amendment. The following is that letter…
Dear Team Jeffco (Public Schools),
On March 14, our schools successfully, and respectfully, navigated the student walkouts supporting the students, families, and staff who were so devastatingly impacted by the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. At that time, I also shared our desire and commitment, as a district, to meaningfully engage our entire community in the topic of school safety. As a first step, we hosted a community safety forum on March 20 at Lakewood High School, part of which included soliciting volunteers for a community safety task force. I will continue to keep you updated on the progress and recommendations of this group.
Given our own shared experiences, the events in Parkland, Florida certainly struck close to our heart. We are quickly approaching April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine tragedy. Though we offer our heartfelt support to Florida, on this date, most of us thoughtfully reflect on our own history. In Jeffco, we have marked this time of year with positive acts – Columbine High School students participate in a day of service, doing volunteer work for a variety of community organizations and the entire district supports Day Without Hate, with events that promote inclusion and acceptance.
While the folks in Florida encouraged a demonstration of unified, national support through student walkouts, I request our schools and students consider honoring the memory of Columbine by following the lead of the Columbine community, which believes firmly in the motto, “A Time to Remember, a Time to Hope.” Coming together, giving back, and having a collective positive impact on our community has been a Jeffco tradition, and I hope we continue that tradition. My hope is if our students and staff feel the need to recognize the anniversary of the Columbine tragedy during the school day, it will be with acts of kindness and service in honor of the memory of those we have lost.
I know school violence elicits strong emotions, but our organizational commitment to educating the children in our community is paramount. As a district, we have a responsibility to acknowledge the political aspects school violence, to help our students learn about current events, and respectfully discuss issues. However, we also have a responsibility to be objective and refrain from taking a position on issues that may cause divisiveness in our community. I know this is a difficult balance, but I have faith we can be a voice of reason in Jeffco.