#Enough — National School Walkout taking place today

We are living in an age where young people like us do not feel safe in our schools. This issue is personal for all of us, especially for those of us who are survivors of gun violence. We are walking out for ALL people who have experienced gun violence, including systemic forms of gun violence that disproportionately impact teens in Black and Brown communities. It is important that when we refer to gun violence, we do not overlook the impact of police brutality and militarized policing, or see police in schools as a solution. We also recognize the United States has exported gun violence through imperialist foreign policy to destabilize other nations. We raise our voices for action against all these forms of gun violence.

WHY MARCH 14? 

March 14 is the one-month anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

WHY 17 MINUTES? 

The 17 minutes are in honor of the 17 lives taken in the tragedy in Parkland, Florida.

WHAT DO WE DO FOR 17 MINUTES? 

It’s up to you! This is YOUR 17-minute walkout! Some students plan to circle their school holding hands while others will congregate in hallways to hold hands, sing songs or stand together in silence. Others plan to speak the names of people killed by gun violence — from the 17 students killed in Parkland to members of their own family or community.

You could also take the time to REGISTER TO VOTE: Text P2P to RTVOTE (788683) to get started! We have the power to hold our elected officials accountable. They represent US! When they don’t do their jobs, WE will vote them OUT.

Whatever you decide, we encourage you to share your action on social media and state why you are participating in this action. #ENOUGH

IS THIS REALLY LED BY STUDENTS?

Yes! The ENOUGH National School Walkout is an initiative organized by Women’s March Youth Empower. We believe, as youth, it is imperative we have spaces where our voices are being heard. We DON’T need adults speaking on our behalf.

WHO ARE THE YOUTH ORGANIZING THIS ACTION?

We are a collective of teenage activists in cities across the country who work to organize our peers to take action on the issues we marched for on January 21, 2017. The youth organizing this action are: Winter, 17, Los Angeles, CA; Alie, 18, New York, NY; Nicky, 18, New York, NY; Alondra, 18, Detroit, MI; Madison, 20, Seattle, WA; Kaleab, 17, Cincinnati, OH; Jackson, 16, Newtown, CT; Victoria, 18, Durham, NC; Thomas, 16, Sandy Hook, CT; Brea, 23, Long Island NY; Cate, 17, New York, NY; Zarina, 17, New York, NY; Ziad, 19, Princeton, NJ; Fatima, 17, Frederick, MD; Kanyinsola, 17, Columbus, OH; Safiyyah Ameer, 14, Tampa, FL;

WHAT ARE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WE CAN TAKE TO ENSURE OUR WALKOUT IS SAFE FOR ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS?

Have conversations with your school administration or school resource officer to help determine best practices that take into account the safety of all students. If walking outside is not a safe option then consider walking-out into hallways, congregate in your school gym, or simply stand up in your classroom for 17 minutes. We encourage adults not to join walkouts on school campuses unless they work there or have been directly invited by the school’s administration.  

WHAT IF MY SCHOOL DOES NOT CONSENT TO A WALKOUT?

Students have strong freedom of speech rights, but school administrators may be concerned about disruption to learning time and could pursue disciplinary action. Depending on your personal judgement and your school norms, you may wish to reach out to teachers or administrators for support. You can also ask a parent or guardian to call the school and advocate on your behalf if your school administration needs more support to work with you.

If you aren’t able to walk out, you can still be creative. Show solidarity for the walkout by wearing orange and create posters to show your support. #ENOUGH.

Also, take advantage of your social media platforms. Feel free to engage your following in discussions surrounding gun violence. You can repost graphics from the Women’s March Youth Instagram (@womensmarchyouth) and Twitter (@WomensMarchY) and use the #ENOUGH. Follow other youth-led initiatives to stay engaged.

WHAT ABOUT THE WALKOUT ON APRIL 20TH? I WANT TO DO THAT ONE, TOO. 

PLEASE DO BOTH & MORE! Congress has taken no substantial action to prevent gun violence since 1993. We need sustained outrage until they take action. Do as much as you can and recruit others to join you! See our joint statement with the April 20th organizers here.

WHAT ABOUT THE #MARCH4OURLIVES ON MARCH 24, IN DC? I WANT TO DO THAT ONE, TOO. 

We will be at #March4OurLives too! The student walkouts are dispersed actions any student can participate in locally. #March4OurLives is a national action organized by the Parkland survivors to take place in our nation’s capital, and we should all mobilize to support them as well! It will take sustained action to end gun violence and we stand in solidarity with our peers who are also organizing around gun violence prevention.

WHAT ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE THAT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE, NOT JUST IN SCHOOLS? 

This action aims to highlight the need to prevent all acts of gun violence including those that happen on our city streets, in our homes, in our places of worship, and in our schools. We are walking out for ALL people who have experienced gun violence, including teens in Black and Brown communities who are disproportionately impacted by gun violence.  

HOW CAN THE HOME-SCHOOLED COMMUNITY SUPPORT? 

To have the most impact, visit your congressional representatives local district office with a walkout sign and/or a photo of a loved one stolen by gun violence. Discuss what this issue means to you and why you feel strongly they take action. Post about your meeting on social media with the hashtag #ENOUGH.

WHAT IF I'M A TEACHER AND WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA WITH MY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS?

Please check out the resources section of our toolkit for discussion & activity plans.

I AM A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, HOW CAN I SHOW SOLIDARITY AND SUPPORT? 

Make sure your student feels supported in participating in a walkout! Some students might run the risk of facing disciplinary action from their schools and a parent’s or guardian’s support can make a big difference. Talk to school administrators in advance (if that is what your student wants) to ensure your student can participate freely.

You can also stage a solidarity walkout. This action can be practiced anywhere! Walk out of your workplace with your colleagues and stand in solidarity holding hands or signs for 17 minutes at 10am. Reach out to your community to do the same. For safety concerns, we suggest that only students and staff participate in school walkouts.

HOW CAN I STAY INVOLVED AFTER MARCH 14TH? 

Participate in the March 24 #March4OurLives in Washington, D.C., and the April 20 National Student Walkout! This is an ongoing movement and it needs sustained support!

You can also sign up for updates from Women’s March Youth Empower by emailing  or clicking here for more information. We work on issues that are important to us, within an intersectional framework, and gun violence is one of those issues.