Wednesday, March 14, marks one month since the fatal mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Loyola students will be joining high school and college students across the country in the ENOUGH National School Walkout. The Walkout is in protest against gun violence and in support of stricter gun control measures that would reduce access to guns and thus create safer public spaces for all.

The event will last 17 minutes, a minute to commemorate each student that died at the school shooting in Parkland. Students who wish to support the movement are encouraged to walk out of their classes at 10 AM and meet on the Quad for the demonstration. Students and faculty will also be gathering at Starbucks at 9:45 AM prior to the Walkout to walk in mass to the Quad. Communication faculty member Dr. Whitehead and her #blacklivesmatter class have spearheaded this walkout, as she invites students and teachers to join them in “a time of reflection, a time of prayer, and a time to show the campus and the world that we are choosing to care.  As a faculty member, a mom, a registered voter and tax-paying citizen, I will stand with them.”

Following the event, there will be a pop-up Teach-In/Discussion Session at the Starbucks area for further reflection and strategizing as to how Loyola University Maryland can be a greater ally in the current youth movement against gun violence.