Students from Easter Carver County high schools are planning walkouts on Friday, Sept. 5, to protest gun violence and commemorate victims of the shooting last week at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. The walkouts are being conducted in coordination with Students Demand Action, a nationwide group that is coordinating events all across the country.
Instagram accounts for each event have been posting information to encourage students to attend:
- Chanhassen High School is planned for 12 p.m. Students will meet at the flagpole.
- Chaska High School is planned for 12:45 p.m. Students will gather around the flagpole.
An email sent to parents from administration Thursday afternoon acknowledged the planned walkouts and said they have been working with student organizers to plan safe and orderly events.
The email outlined key expectations of students who choose to participate, including staying in specified areas, expressing views constructively and “ensuring that actions reflect the school’s values of respect, inclusion and understanding.”
While the walkout has been coordinated with school administration, students may receive unexcused absences for the periods they miss unless a parent chooses to call and excuse them.
“ECCS values student voice and recognizes their right to express opinions constructively and respectfully. We understand that students may want to participate in civic actions, and we’re here to support them in doing so safely and respectfully,” the letter stated.
