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Every student has their own rights to protest by their free will. We also have opinions that is needed to be listen and heard. What happened was very sad tragedy, but we can learn from mistakes like these. One can be the civil disobedience that occurred during the month of March. People fear that we may use it inappropriately or ‘unsuitable’ enough, but by what just happened…..I’am pretty sure we are going to use it wisely and productively for our opinions and beliefs. I just hope that we can change the future in many ways…..

Martin Luther King Jr. in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” wrote that “In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.” While he was a world renowned activist and speaker jailed for protesting discrimination in the United States post civil war, we are the future leaders of America who are reprimanded for protesting the unsafe conditions and the wars being brought to our “safe havens of knowledge”. There is no difference between him and us, between the suffrage movement and our movement, between the demands of African Americans who deserve their due and our demands to our legislators to stop bringing war and bloodshed from the battlefield into places where little children sing and eat and grow up into flowers. To assume that we shouldn’t be treated the same way, to not take us seriously would be patronizing. Teachers, principles, school boards you must punish us. We walked out of your schools. We walked out in the middle of your lessons because we wanted you to hear us, we turned our backs and left our so called “safe havens” because we wanted to make sure that you remembered the screams of the 17 children who died being shot at as they ran in hallways with books in their hands. Students should lovingly accept the detentions, they should listen to the lectures and admonishments of people who are upset at them for walking out because that is the only way our cause will be accepted. This was not a momentary rebellion which should be ignored and treated as a one time thing where teachers can put their rule books aside. Those rules are important, they set principles for us, they keep us in line. We uphold them to set an example for those who have not upheld the laws that keep us safe. Not punishing us means that you won’t punish the school shooters. I don’t want to be the next victim. I’d rather deal with a hundred detentions and be taken seriously than allow my demand for safety to be treated as a teenage temper tantrum.

Civil disobedience, by definition, implies that discipline should occur as a result of the actions that are being taken. That being said, civil disobedience by activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. and countless other individuals throughout the history of America has been the driving force behind significant, necessary social change in our country. If students are engaging in civil disobedience such that there actions break the law or violate school rules, they should be punished appropriately, but not for speaking out. That is the nature of civil disobedience; it requires sacrifice on behalf of those who desire to see change occur. Additionally, young people have been the catalysts for change in so many civil rights movements over the years. If students are willing to stand up boldly and intelligently in spite of the discipline, ridicule, and judgement they may face from the nation, it is only a matter of time until change happens in this nation.

I don’t believe students should be reprimanded for standing up for what they believe in, and participating in “acts of civil disobedience.” Students participating in these marches, walk-outs, and protests are not doing anything wrong. Their nonconformity is inspiring. They shouldn’t be disciplined, but praised for having the strength and courage to speak up when they see something so heartbreaking and unjust happening in our society. They took it into their hands when they saw that changes weren’t being made. They have the right to protest and use their voices to demand this change and that their lives and safety become the top priority over pieces of metal. There’s always been backlash with every major movement, and this is just the start of theirs. They’re calling BS, and you should too no matter who or what is in your way.

If a school does not disciple for acts of civil disobedience, then they are encouraging it. As a teenager, it is our civil duty to go to school and we must uphold that responsibility by respecting the guidelines of our school such as not skipping school as a simple example.

Students should be disciplined for participating in acts of civil disobedience in accordance with the standard punishment for any student who does not attend class or causes another disruption in the learning environment because a school’s most important responsibility is to provide a safe and productive space for all students. Such discipline does not infringe on a student’s First Amendment rights because students are free to speak in other ways, and they are still able to accept the consequences and participate in acts of civil disobedience anyway. Facing punishment may even make the protests more impactful. Last week, walkouts addressing gun violence occurred in thousands of schools across the country, whether or not the school districts threatened to punish students or not, which demonstrates that a successful protest does not require the school district’s blessing. Further, a willingness to accept the punishment for noncompliance with rules or laws is what makes civil disobedience a powerful form of protest in the first place, and history demonstrates that the change civil disobedience brings about comes mainly from displaying the injustice practiced in unjust laws.
Last week, many school districts chose a policy of following their standard guidelines laid out for disciplining students who skip class or are “out of bounds” during school hours, and these types of policies reinforce the school’s number one responsibility to preserve the learning environment in every classroom. Attorneys for the ACLU such as Ben Wizner have agreed that students’ First Amendment rights (which are explicitly affirmed in Tinker v. Des Moines) are not violated when they face the same punishments as they would for walking out of class at any other time. The courts have historically upheld a school’s duty to serve in loco parentis and enforce rules that ensure students are not disrupting the learning of themselves or others. It follows that since a walkout is a disruption of time meant for learning, students who participate can face reasonable discipline.
Students who are serious about the causes they protest should also welcome punishment for acts of civil disobedience because it makes civil disobedience a more effective form of protest and safeguards it from being made less powerful by frequent use. When students have to make a conscious choice as to whether supporting a cause is worth facing disciplinary action, they start to learn how to engage in civil discourse responsibly, and any resulting protests are all the more meaningful because onlookers realize how passionate students are for the cause. The purpose of civil disobedience is not for unjust laws to go unenforced but for unjust laws to be changed, and the way this has happened historically is for peaceful demonstrators to willfully accept the punishment for their actions. Early on, students should learn to maintain the “highest respect for the law” as Martin Luther King Jr. advocated in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” so that civil disobedience can continue to be an effective means of protest for many years to come.

While I do support any individual’s right to peaceful protest, as it is guaranteed in the First Amendment of the US Constitution, they still needed to have the punishment. My reasoning for this is that for a protest to really be effective, the participants need to be willing to break a rule, and deal with the consequences of breaking the rule. How many times has MLK broken laws, and willingly been arrested? This was to prove the point that the cause they are protesting for is more important than any punishment. As a student in a school where people participated, they all knew the consequences, and protested anyways. If our school administration were to not punish them, it would make their protest less effective, because they are not showing how much the cause truly matters. Everyone has the right to free speech but school also isn’t the greatest place for a protest, as it is often hindering other people’s education, and rights.

We should not allow our student to get away with civil disobedience. For they should know the punishments for breaking laws and should be punished accordingly. If we allow our youth to not follow certain laws no matter what there reasoning we are teaching them that they do not have to follow the rules that are set in place for a reason purely because they do agree with them for whatever reason. This is a very dangerous idea that would cause the federal government to lose control over its people and in the extreme lead to anarchy. In our nation, we have many other forms of verbal protest that we do not need to perform civil disobedience in order to state our opinion. If these students still want to protest that is fine they need to do it in a safe manner that that does not break any federal laws and on there own time, not the schools. This can also be very disruptive to students who are trying to learn, but cannot because half of their class is gone and it is unfair to that student that they cannot get a proper education purely because some other students do not agree with what the federal government is doing.

If a student were to break a school rule or physically or mentally hurt another person that lead to suicide or other hurtful actions the person who caused it they should get disciplined.

Students should be disciplined for breaking school rules by walking out of the school building. No matter how noble the cause is in the minds of the students, they do not have the right to leave the building during school hours. They do retain the right to peacefully protest, but during their time outside of school. They cannot claim that it is their right to freedom of speech/expression to leave the school building during constructive hours, as students in schools do not held the same level of constitutional rights as they would hold in public. This can easily be seen by how many schools have speech codes, dress codes, and restrictions that American citizens in public do not face. If any student decides to ditch class and leaves the school in the middle of the day, they will be disciplined if they are caught. Students who left school during this protest should face similar punishment.

But it is not only school rules that stand in the way of these students leaving the schools in an act of civil disobedience that stand in their way. Large groups of students leaving the school also possesses a safety hazard to themselves and others. The winter has been fairly long this year, so much of the Northern regions of the country saw freezing weather at the time of this protest. Students exiting the building who are not properly dressed for such conditions put themselves at risk of catching colds, pneumonia, or even in worse-case scenarios – hypothermia. Massive groups of students exiting the building also pose a hazard to traffic in the area. For schools in urban areas, drivers would have to watch out for students walking about. Also noteworthy, their protest was against gun violence but by exiting the building in mass numbers they actually put themselves at greater risk of such an attack because they would all be exposed outside the safety of the school walls.

The students should be punished for violating schools rules that would lead to discipline in any other case.

Prominent civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr. used civil disobedience as a way to express his view. Though not solving the whole problem of racial discrimination, civil disobedience did play a great part in the civil right movement.

Though I do agree with the walk-outs and other protest forms, it is still breaking the rules. Rules are established to hold people accountable for their actions. For participating in this events, an individual should have educated themselves and understand the consequences that could come. It’s the same way with all choices in life.

I believe that when the students walked out, even if they feel the cause they are fighting is a loyal cause, they knew they were disobeying. Also, many students, especially in my area, just used the protest as an excuse to skip out on school. I do believe that those who do not know the best for the nation should just entrust the issues to voters, since likely many of the student protesters were not even eligible voters, hence not knowing the best for our nation.

The First Amendment gives students the right to protest. However actions have consequences. Students who took part in the national walkout should be punished because according to my personal school, and others as well, Mass Demonstration and protest goes against school code and district guidelines. The Schools should not have been allowed to encourage students in this protest knowing it violates existing policies. Proper disciplinary action must be taken against students and warnings must be given to staff that openly supported this.

I believe standing up for what you believe in is very important and peaceful protests are a great way to get people to recognize you and your viewpoints. However, in many professional environments, politics are to be left outside of the environment and I agree that politics should not be something involved in the school atmosphere. The sole purpose of going to school is to get educated, not to protest. I believe that those who knowingly violated their school’s policies should be held accountable as they would on any other circumstance. I think the reasoning behind the walkout was very important and that all young adults should want to stand up for safety in schools and their is a time and place to do so, but I do not believe this was the appropriate way of going about this.

I think students who partake in acts of civil disobedience even after being notified that they would be punished according to school rules should be punished. Schools are a major privilege in this country, most countries have to pay an outrageous fee in order to receive an education similar to the quality of the education accessible to us for free here in America. As citizens of this country it is our responsibility to speak up about the change we want to see in our government and I completely understand how incredibly important it is to be able to participate in walk-outs and rallies of all kinds. If the school allows it, please go and participate all you want. On the other-hand if the school strictly prohibits it, there is no need to be rebellious and abruptly walk out of class while you are being generously offered an education. There are other options for you to speak up that don’t involve breaking rules, such as finding events during school breaks or over the weekend or sending letters/speaking to your congressmen. With that being said, deliberately disobeying the rules of a school after being warned of the consequences, should definitely be a punishable offense.

Acts of civil disobedience happens when people voluntarily violate the law to draw attention to their statement. Given that the law is expected to be adhered to at all times, discipline within legal boundaries is expected to be executed against lawbreakers. Therefore, the walk outs that plainly break education laws such as exiting the classroom unexcused are exposed to legal discipline. Here lies the effectiveness of civil disobedience, for viewers of the acts of civil disobedience will feel the sense of injustice or wrong the protesters perceive for their topic- especially when viewers witness people condemned for something that should not occur. On the other hand, the walk outs that avoid conflict with school regulations are not under any legal condemnation and do not require disciplinary action because there is no violation of any law; yet, the weight of the message may or may not be as effective as civil disobedience.

It is important to note that disciplinary consequences should not mean that the protester’s opinions are wrong or should not be heard. Rather, discipline should plainly signify that violation of law has been responsibly accounted for.

Students should be disciplined for these acts of civil disobedience. The reason they are at school is to receive a good education and not go out and skip class for 17 minutes for such a trivial matter. Taxpayers pay money for these students to learn, not to skip school. In addition, protesting is an act of violence itself. Sometimes, people start beating other people up if one side doesn’t agree what the other side believes. These students are just being used by these teachers who want them to protest, but some of these students may not want to protest. Also, instead of protesting, they could be doing something productive like being a friend to someone else who needs one. Also, what about the millions of babies that are being slaughtered each day? If students want to protest, that is what they should be protesting. Protesting for gun control will not solve issues; in fact, they will just make it worse. Gun control will not prohibit people from doing want they want; instead, those people will look to the black market, or just use another weapon. People that want to protest every little issue comes up are just looking to pick a fight, and this will just continue to get worse and lead into a more unhealthy society than we already live in.

Students, although are given the right to free assembly through the first amendment, they are still are required to obey the rules as given by the school system. Students give up certain rights when they enter the school, as shown by Tinker v Des Moines.

Student should be disciplined because it best prepares them for the real world. It shows them that yes you should hand up for what you believe in but that does not mean that there will not be consequences, as unfair as it may be. There are always consequences to protesting and students need to know that there are. But we also need to teach them their rights as well as to do what is right and what convicts them.

Students go to school to learn the basic skills(reading, writing, mathematics, sciences, etc.) that will allow them to become productive members of society later on. Schools are NOT indoctrination centers that promote political ideologies. School administrators and staff are NOT paid to promote partisan political dogma. Furthermore, college level courses explore political thought and critical thinking/reasoning. Kids need to learn the basics before they become political.

Actions have consequences. It isn’t about what side of a debate you are on; therefore, it is about understanding the principle that cutting class and civil disobedience, even for a cause which one thinks is a good one, has consequences.

Students are in school to take classes. If the students would like like to participate in walkouts and protests then by all means go ahead but be prepared for the consequences involved with not attending class.

They should be punished for multiple reasons: 1) They are disobeying rules/laws in order to protest. Students must realize there are consequences for their actions. 2) The lesson is more clearly made if they’re being punished. For instance, it’s very easy to show how Civil Rights leaders used civil disobedience to make their point and show that they were arrested (and much worse) for their acts of CD. 3) Schools/Teachers/Administrators should not be taking a position on “Gun Control” or any of the associated legislation. It is unethical for school personnel to influence students’ beliefs in such a way. Our job is to present the facts and history and then allow the students to make up their own minds. I’ve seen far too much gun control advocacy on the part of teachers in their official roles, which is expressly forbidden. They get away with it because by-and-large educational staff at the county and state levels lean heavily liberal so they find a sympathetic ear. If the students wanted to walk out to protest abortion would many of these high schools allow it? I doubt it, and therefore the point is valid.

There is nothing wrong with a peaceful protest, but there is a time and a place for it. If the student would be punished for the same action any other day I see no reason they shouldn’t be punished for walking out for this event.

The reason civil disobedience is effective is because of the punishment that comes with it. Without any consequences for their actions, students would merely be participating in protest. What makes civil disobedience more powerful than an ordinary protest is that fact that protesters are willing to face consequences for what they believe. When society sees the discipline that students/protesters must undergo as a result of their protest, it does several things that benefit the protesters: 1. It draws more attention to the cause. A protest where punishment comes afterwards will nearly always gain more media/social media attention than a risk-free protest. 2. It causes society to examine their views. The protesters are signaling that they value their cause more than their well being. This adds to the movement’s credibility.

It’s considered civil disobedience because the systems in place do not support moral obligations protesters are fighting for. If there is no punishment for the students, why are the rules in place to begin with, or the laws that they are standing up against still in effect. This isn’t to say that students shouldn’t walk out, it is to say that any consequences against there actions are acceptable considering they are still the effective rules in place.

Civil disobedience is the refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest. Sometimes the ways students choose to express their beliefs go against school policies. When students make the decision to voice what they believe in, they are responsible for their own actions and must educate themselves on any consequences that may arise.
I think it is fair for schools to discipline students for opposing set rules that are in place. The intentions of many disciplined actions from a school can become muddled during heated debates. Assuming that schools are not reprimanding students based on the issue and they inform the public of the consequences, the repercussions should be expected by those who choose to protest.

Students should have the right to protest. They can learn to become active citizens, and immerse themselves in activism. Students can start paying attention to the world around them.

Every year, students who are in a history class learn about civil disobedience. They learn about different civil rights activists who risked or even lost their lives while trying to stretch their freedoms as a citizen through their right to free speech. I do think that students should be punished for organizing and going through with walkouts and riots such as these. Many students believe that their right to free speech can cover themselves and they can use it as an excuse, but that is never the case. Having a freedom of speech is great, but there is such a thing called overstepping your boundaries. Students don’t realize that.
In my own personal opinion, I see the Parkland shooting as the wrong topic to relate towards these walkouts and the wrong subject to start such a revolution like this has turned into. Like I have stated, we all have the right to free speech, but using that freedom to take away an ammendment that we all, as citizens, have is out of line. The Parkland shooting is not the greatest example to use for this age of acting for civil disobedience. I can see where a large shooting such as this one would cause for a riot against weapons and guns, but it will not be a solution. That is only my opinion.
Many students who participate in acts such as these walkouts that are suddenly spreading all across the country are in it because they feel as though they have a voice, we can understand that, but there is also the portion of kids with the dire want to skip out on class and go outside for a while or the students who are too lazy to do their work and see these actions more as opportunities to rebel against education. Not to mention, how awful these school walkouts look on the school and the education the school is holding for the children. Some schools can be seen as allowing the students to express and experience their freedom, but others can be seen as schools that cannot control their children and need to form some kind of punishment.
I believe the schools need a system of punishment for the students who insist on rioting. After all, organizing such a large version of controversy or debate is not a piece of what schools want to be about. If students or anyone want to protest something, protest where you can be heard for what is truly being said, not while you are at a building you are supposed to be learning in.

There are consequences for everything. Yes, this is freedom of speech, but students know the rules. If schools tell them that they are not allowed to walk out of the classroom then the students should obey them. It is like a kid stealing a candy bar. They still get into trouble even if they are a kid. There are many other opportunities where students can speak their voice. It does not have to be in the classroom.

Absolutely. Actions of dissent do not nullify regulations or laws. Even if we disagree with those laws, even if they are immoral or unconstitutional, respect for the rule of law is central to maintaining order and peace. Protesting is absolutely fine, but we mustn’t remember the obligation and responsibility of the school to protect the students, and if a student breaches a restriction, and is not punished, it only undermines the authority of the school administration.

If we are having our right to free speech taken away from us students it won’t end there. We’ve seen the pain previous generations had due to punishment over civil disobedience. We’ve seen the extremes taken in Charlottesville Virginia. If we allow and support free speech in our schools that will extend to when we are adults and in positions of political power and have more opportunity to change things.

To keep our right to civil disobedience I’m school is to continue to have free speech when we are adults and for future generations.

You should always protest your rights. Many people don’t know what we’re protesting. It’s not banning guns, it’s having stricter gun laws such as registration, history of mental illnesses, and criminal record checks. This is what we’re trying to protest, not the banning of guns.

Martin Luther King Jr. in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” wrote that “In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty.” While he was a world renowned activist and speaker jailed for protesting discrimination in the United States post civil war, we are the future leaders of America who are reprimanded for protesting the unsafe conditions and the wars being brought to our “safe havens of knowledge”. There is no difference between him and us, between the suffrage movement and our movement, between the demands of African Americans who deserve their due and our demands to our legislators to stop bringing war and bloodshed from the battlefield into places where little children sing and eat and grow up into flowers. To assume that we shouldn’t be treated the same way, to not take us seriously would be patronizing. Teachers, principles, school boards you must punish us. We walked out of your schools. We walked out in the middle of your lessons because we wanted you to hear us, we turned our backs and left our so called “safe havens” because we wanted to make sure that you remembered the screams of the 17 children who died being shot at as they ran in hallways with books in their hands. Students should lovingly accept the detentions, they should listen to the lectures and admonishments of people who are upset at them for walking out because that is the only way our cause will be accepted. This was not a momentary rebellion which should be ignored and treated as a one time thing where teachers can put their rule books aside. Those rules are important, they set principles for us, they keep us in line. We uphold them to set an example for those who have not upheld the laws that keep us safe. Not punishing us means that you won’t punish the school shooters. I don’t want to be the next victim. I’d rather deal with a hundred detentions and be taken seriously than allow my demand for safety to be treated as a teenage temper tantrum.

Every choice has a consequence, it can be either a good consequence or bad consequence. Students first off shouldn’t skip school Period! because of the consequences that come after. To be honest if you take part in the March for our lives and believe the words that come out of David Hogg and others then you aren’t helping at all.

The Founders believed that every tax paying citizen had a right to have a voice in Government. Younger students and such like haven’t the maturity level to understand all the intricacies of what they are supporting or opposing. Running off of raw emotion does not lead to thoughtful dialogue and if you look at David Hogg you are watching a young tyrant in action. He wants only his view point sounded and all opposing views must be silenced. Well boys and girls, this isn’t the Soviet Union or Nazi Germany, or Cuba, or North Korea, or Iran. This is the good old U.S. of A. and here both sides can have a say as long as its civil and they know what they’re supporting. But I don’t feel that any high school student knows enough about the issues or history to be out there protesting on school time, if you want to protest, do it on your own time and honor your parents by attending the classes they paid for with their hard earned money. When you get out into the real world, earn a living and start paying taxes then you will understand this better.

Yes, I think that students should be punished for walking out. A student doesn’t want to be in school. They rather be at home playing video games or watching videos. If students can just get up at any time and leave, that will be an excuse to leave. It’s distracting.

Students should know that although they are speaking for a cause that they believe in, there are consequences for breaking the rules. It is legally allowed for students to be punished for walking out of class or performing any other kind of protest, and a true activist will do what they please knowing the consequences.

Though the cause is noble, there is a better way to protest. The students should have gathered more appropriately and with the consent of the school. During school hours, while the parents leave the students to the care of the school institution, the school is directly responsible for the children’s well being and safety. Since they walked out, they jeopardize themselves as well as making the school liable for any misfortunes should the students come across any. Thus, the students should be punished for walking out of classes even if it was in protest to the tragic events in Florida. Their safety is the top concern of the school and the parents, they need to be more aware of themselves as people in a society and the role they have as a young person learning to improve this world to a better one then when they found it.

Many people have said ‘no’ because of the fact that people should have the right to speak out and protest. However, we should remember that the purpose of a school is to educate, not to have distractions that are keeping us from our important studies. All this being said, I don’t think that schools should discriminatorily punish students based on THIER beliefs, but if there is civil disobedience and something is disrupting the safety or the learning of students, it is the school’s responsibility to discipline the students.

High School students should be disciplined for participating in civil
disobedience/school Walkouts. You cannot even leave school without a parent’s
note and now schools would let people march during school hours. If you want to
take part in civil disobedience do it on your own time. Schools organizing these
Walkouts for Gun Control is very political. Schools should be focused on
teaching students not indoctrinating them. The National Student Walkout was
organized the same people who organized the Woman’s March which was very
political and anti-Trump group. The Woman’s March organizers have ties to Louis
Farrakhan, the leader of a group called Nation of Islam and Farrakhan is the
most anti-Semitic person in America. He even called Hitler a “great man”. Once
you open the door to allowing one protest for students in schools it will be
hard to stop others. What happens if students then went to do a walkout in favor
of an evil cause like White Supremacy or anti-police officer? Student Walkouts
are disruptive to the school day. In numerous Supreme Court cases, including
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, it has been determined that schools can
limit students’ 1st amendment right to maintain a safe productive learning
environment. Students should not be allowed to participate in walkouts.

Although students should be able to voice their opinion and fight for their beliefs, breaking the law should have its consequences. This will help students decide for themselves whether something is a cause worth breaking the rules for, and only students with strong beliefs will be present in the movement.

It’s not that all students should face punishment, it’s that they should have followed the school rules. While stories like administrators threatening suspension is a bit extreme, these students knew what they were doing. Although nobody wants to talk about it, we all know there were many students who just wanted to get out of class. If the school decided to make it an event, then that is their choice and obviously nobody should be punished. I personally don’t understand the walk out anyway. The issue with these school shootings is bullying. They want to blame someone, the school, gun stores, and the government, but don’t want to take responsibility. Obviously bullying is no excuse to massacre a school, but people break at a certain point. Who knows if a act of kindness, a caring gesture would have saved 17 people that day.

School shootings are bad and the students have the right to protest. HOWEVER, the manner of the protest is very important. By walking out of class, the students protested gun violence, but was this the most efficient manner? First, the students were there to be taught and the teacher was there to teach. By their walkout, the reason for school was thrown out the window. Second, the teacher has little control over the government. It stands to reason that the students should have expressed their feelings in a different way, like wearing a black band like those against the Vietnam War. Considering that what the students did (1) broke the rules, (2) was disrespectful to their teachers, and (3) was not even the most effective way to protest, the students should be punished according to the law. In essence, the students were trying to break the law in hope that law would be made to combat gun violence, which is kind of contradicting.

It is everyone’s first amendment right to peacefully protest. Students are no different. As long as a student is participating on their own time, no school official or staff should punish them for their activity in protests.

“Our lives begin to end the day we stay silent about things that matter.” – Dr. Martin Luther King. Although his fight was different, his quote remains relevant. For many people in various areas, the threat of gun violence is something they live through everyday. And not standing up for your right to live means no one will. People of the United States have the privilege of being able to fight for what they believe in. Walking out for 17 minutes of a school day of 7 hours is a demonstration that students are capable citizens and are not going down without a fight. The walk out was “brief yet noticeable” as Kristina said, and she could not be more right, the students voices were heard. They stood up for what they believe in, in a peaceful and civil way. The demonstration was symbolic in many ways, the time frame being one. 17 minutes for 17 students shot dead. The leaving of class abruptly, like the students who were shot, taken out of this world suddenly. And even how some schools reacted plays into the symbolism. How they tried to punish students for standing up, and tried to push them aside is much like how the government has ignored this issue for too long. As many people said during speeches in “March for Our Lives” the students are the future and our voices matter. So no, it is not right for the school to try to punish students for taking a stand and fighting for the right those 17 students had to live.

Students should participate in these events without any consequences as long as they aren’t doing anything that damages property or hurts someone physically. If they were to get in any trouble than it would violate their right to petition.

No they shouldn’t be punished for standing up for there beliefs because that is our first amendment to the constitution an the bill of rights. If the put that in the constitution an bill of rights why punish them for doing something they have the right too.

In “The Land of the Free” people should be allowed to stand up for what they deem as right. Not allowing this or punishing this would be a violation to our right, as people of America, to speech. Simply because a child wants fight for their life or, more precisely, have a chance to fight for their life, their actions should not be suppressed by those of opposing views. The kids walking out for whatever reason from commemorating the loss of lives due to numerous shootings (but more recently the shooting in Parkland) to trying to get Congress to improve gun control for the safety of the American people, should not have to choose between letting their voice be heard and letting others speak for them. By suppressing the students’ actions, the administrators are ultimately oppressing the entire country.

They should not be punished, especially since their reason is justified. They may have broken school rules, however they are protesting against a much bigger issue. As long as students are justified and do not resort to violence, they should be allowed to protest peacefully.

It’s in our Constitution: we as Americans have the right to protest government if we don’t agree with it. Just like our forefathers, we are voicing our opinions by disobeying a government that refuses to listen to us. I believe that with civil disobedience, we are showing the true American spirit by not letting government walk over us; staying true to our Colonial past.

Walking out for selfish reasons, and walking out for reasons with meaning behind them is different. If Adults can go on strike, and protest instead of working, children if doing it for the right reasons, should fight for what they believe in.

I think that citizens especially students should be punished for something they believe in. Also because they aren’t breaking and law and in the constitution the first amendment states that never gone has the freedom of speech so why should they get punished

Kids should have a say in expressing their opinions as long as they are doing it in an appropriate way. Only in a case where people are harming another person or causing issues than that may be a time for action to be taken.

i think you should not get in trouble for protesting uring school hours becasue there protesting about something wrong at the school and they want the teachers to hear what they want but if your protesting about something not related to school thats different

I think that students should have the right to stand up against something they don’t agree with or like. Also if a student doesn’t feel safe they should be able to speak up and do something about it.

I think that students should be able to exercise their right as U.S. citizens to protest and should definitely not be punished for doing so. I have been involved in several marches and movements in which we practiced peaceful protest and would have been extremely upset if I had been punished for doing so.

I do not think students should be disciplined because in the Bill of Rights it states that every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and students are allowed to protest if they feel passionate about something. The government officials are not the ones being shot in schools, it is the students and the students should therefore have the right to speak out about something that is an open threat to them. Everyone deserves respect and the right to voice their opinion, and students have showed so far that they are incredibly educated on this topic and can participate in these acts while still being respectful.

I feel that students should not be punished. They should have the right to protest when they feel like that are needed to. Some students may not know any other way to express how they feel. They should be able to do what they need to in order to feel safe. We should want to encourage our young students to be active in our community and let them have a say.

Students shouldn’t be disciplined for participating in marches and walk outs, they’re protected under the first amendment to protest and schools should respect that instead of discipline them.

civil disobedience is a way of protesting against something that you agree on. through the history of the us there has been many civil disobedience acts that have shaped the us into a better country so why would you make it harder for people to state their opinion, after all it could be something that helps shape the us into a greater country.

I don’t think they should be disciplined for voicing their opinion. Students are getting shot, and them walking out is only a way of protecting their safety. By disciplining them, the school is showing that the student’s safety doesn’t matter.

Students want to make be safe at schools, and protesting expresses their opinion and what they want will help them to accomplish this. Being punished for wanting to be safe is not the right thing to do. If others don’t agree with students walking out, they shouldn’t control them, they should just leave them alone.

Student should not be disciplined for fighting what they believe in. As citizens of the United States, they deserve and have that right to protest. They should be allowed to express their opinion freely and the public and the schools should support them in their endeavors to fight and to protest. They should support them as they did in “Silver Spring, Md., [where] a long line of sign-holding students walked down a major street, with a police escort blocking traffic”. This is the type of support that is necessary and encourages young students minds and freedom of thought and expression. Not only is this a protest, but a commemoration like “In Helena, Mont., [where] more than 200 students gathered outdoors and shared stories and details about 17 lives”.

Every student has the right to protest for what they believe in especially when these acts are being done to students at school. School is a place where everyone should feel safe not fear for their lives.

While students may be breaking some school rules, many are doing it for a purpose and not just to get out of school. The student is protesting the school in the same way that someone would protest their government. The government is supposed to make laws and be above everyone and people shouldn’t have the need to protest, but sometimes they do. In the same way, if someone is protesting for a specific cause and is not harming another, it should not be punished. Along the lines of the school walk out, it was only for a certain amount of time. Classes still ran the same, but the students walked out for a small amount of time to show how they felt. They were expressing their opinions and trying to get involved in their future government so they should not be punished.

I believe that by walking out of the classroom the student is exercising their right to protest. They have a right to peacefully protest against these school shootings and safety procedures. I also understand that by getting up and walking out there is really no positive outcome. Yes, students won’t be in school, but what changed? Nothing. Students just walked out of class, THAT’S why students are getting in trouble. Now, I voted that no, students shouldn’t be punished. And I believe this to be true as long as they are making an impact. If students are walking out of class and discussing how they can make their school a better place, or writing to the legislatures, or the school board, then they shouldn’t be in trouble. They are protesting and trying to make a difference for the lives that have been lost. It’s theire right too.

It is our right to be able to exercise the first amendment. It is important to be able to protest and share the views of younger generations. What happened in Florida was not okay, and neither was any of the shootings before that. Teens should be able to protest with a walk-out. Teachers all across the country are protesting work to get a higher pay. So why can´t we protest to stay safe?

Students participating in civil obedience are being true to the ideals of our country. Civil disobedience is pivotal in making the nation where it is now. To deny students the right to protest is denying them the right to act as American citizens.
Although there are several supreme court cases that show that students have different rights than adults, the case of Tinker vs Des Moines shows that students can have the right to peacefully protest provided that it doesn’t disrupt the learning environment of the school, which brings us to the current situation involving the march fourteenth walkout. The walkout, designated for students protesting the recent gun violence in schools could be construed as ‘disrupting the school environment’ however, as a student who was involved in the walkout, the sole disruption was a divided class period, a disruption that would have been far worse if the students had been denied their rights for protest. The walkout was a calm, orderly, and determined act of civil disobedience. The students participating in this event should not be punished as they are performing their first amendment right to the Freedom of Assembly.

Why should students not have a voice? Students should feel safe protesting for what they think is right. It is given in the constitution that we do have the right to protest and let people hear our voices.

As civilians that have full control over how this nation continues to thrive and expand, I find it extremely confusing why we should be denied our visions on how we want this nation to be the best that it could be.

Students should feel safe protesting for what they believe in, it is a constitutional right to peacefully protest. Many students may not feel strongly about the issue, but that doesn’t mean those who do take protesting seriously should also face punishment. I agree that something should be done to students that couldn’t care less about the issue and only protest to get out of classes, but having everyone punished is illogical. MLK got arrested many times for his actions, but he did it on purpose, for he knew doing so would raise support. Punishing students does the opposite to a cause.

Students have a first amendment right to a peaceful protest. Schools have no place or power in restricting these rights, and it is even unconstitutional to do so. In the real world sure you might face consequences in the form of an unpopular public opinion or protest, but you face these same consequences in this demonstration as well; but in the real world there is no authority that has the legal right to restrict standing up for what you believe in. If schools feel the need to punish kids to weed out those joining the protest only to skip class, then the problem starts with those who feel the matter at hand is not a big enough deal to take seriously. It can also be seen as taking a political stance, which schools are not allowed to do, if they punish students for exercising their first amendment rights. However, this means schools also have to support walkouts that are pro-gun or any other matter, which they should also do as it is not up to schools to dictate the opinions and beliefs of students.

Students should never be disciplined for an act of standing up for what they believe in. Every human born on this Earth should have the right to stand up for anything they seem unfit about society and should not be shamed or disciplined for doing so. Walking out is a decision and a right that every student has and if schools decided to discipline students for doing that, then they are going against the rights of the students, which could lead to even more horrible consequences.

Although I think that students who walked out without their principal’s consent should have at least talked to the principal to have some form of resolution to appease both parties, I do not believe that students should be reprimanded for disobeying school rules. I want this generation of kids to grow to have the mindset that they can do anything like leading movements such as advocating for stricter gun laws. This leads to the argument of whether we want kids to grow up idealists or realists. I want kids to grow up as idealists so that they can create a better America in the future. Children today are influenced much more than kids in the 1900’s so if children were heavily reprimanded today for simply walking out, it could discourage them from perusing the movement for stronger gun laws. I am not saying that adults should create a perfect world for children where they can do anything they want, but people should let children act out against controversial issues such as gun laws while telling them that there CAN be consequences to their actions and that they should make sure they account for any repercussions to their actions so that they can prepare for anything they do.

It’s a bit of a difficult decision to make, because there are some students who possibly see the protests as an opportunity to leave and hang around yet it is important to think of those who truly believe in these protests. Whether there are more who care about protests or not, it is important to think of those who care. It’s not right to punish those who did nothing wrong.

This nation was built upon men and women who had a need to express their ideas of independence and freedom against the British government. If these people had not expressed their opinions, America would not have been born. Therefore how does it make sense to silence the opinions of modern American citizens. This nation was built on the voices of the people should continue to grow with the voices of the people.

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are engraved in the minds of every child living in America. As the future generation, it is students obligation to speak out for themselves to end school violence because no voice is louder than those of the children fighting to stay safe and alive. When has speaking out to keep the young alive become an act of civil disobedience? It is time that many students teach others that arms are meant for hugging and not killing.

Students should not be afraid to speak out to protect their lives and the lives of others. By punishing students for “taking part in civil disobedience,” it sets a precedent that kids should stay within the norm. The point of a democracy is to have the people speak for what the people want. If the school administration punishes and ignores students for fighting for what they believe in, they are raising students to be compliant and never question anything in their lives.

Students should not be punished for utilizing their freedom of speech, especially because it was students who died in the school shooting and students who are the ones still under threat of more school shootings. The only way to prevent such things is for them to voice their thoughts and drive change through school walk-outs and protests to show how angry they are that school shootings keep happening and no one seems to be doing anything useful.

Students should have the right to protest such a serious issue that pertains to them without worrying about what will be put on their track record. The national walkout wasn’t a protest against schools or any administration in schools, it was a protest against gun violence which I personally believe the schools should have supported. The students shouldn’t be punished for fighting for their safety, especially if no one was being harmed as a result of the walkout.

Students should not be punished for expressing their thoughts on national issues. The students of today will be tomorrow’s leaders and stopping them now will lead to a future where everyone will do what they are told and no one will challenge authority. If there is no way to express ourselves, how will the government know the people’s needs.

First of all, teachers have encouraged us to be part of protests and stand up for what we believe in. However, as it starts to affect the teachers, they tend to withdraw in punishing us. Why bother to teach us to engage in activities when they’ll end up betraying their students. Additionally, the first amendment gives everyone the freedom of speech which means students are free to stand up for their belief and nobody can punish them in any way.

i feel that the fact of children and young adults being dissiplined fro useing there first amendment if these people want to explote there seond amendment to keep there pressious guns why cant we, the future of our country exploite the first amendment one thats actually important to our countries foundation compaired to guns which, qite frankley we can live with out ya we would be giving up one right but its one thats killed thousands compared to one theats just words.

The Bill of rights is guarantee human rights for the citizen of America. The first amendment is Freedom of Speech. The students who protest or walk out the class should not be punish for their actions.
The citizens of America uses that first amendment for defense and offense. The right of Freedom of Speech is what make countries like United States of America, Chile, United Kingdom, Jamaica, and Japan special.The Freedom of Speech contains rights to free religion, free press, and freedom to association and freedom of protest.

The students should not be punished. The kids are not walking out of campus for fun or being ignorant. As long they are not disturbing other students education or work. The walk out protest is for the school shootings, and if the students do not feel safe and secure. They have every right to leave the school premises if necessarily. The school shooting are becoming a monthly news. It’s easy for a kid to get a weapon at any moment. Students goes to school without knowing if their going to be able to go home tonight.
As a student of High school, questioning school safety has never been brought till the past couple of years of the tragic shootings. If somebody made safety a concern on the campus. The parents and students are going to want them leave the premises.
So no, they should not be punish, as long they don’t disturb others education. They have every right to walk out or protest for the school shootings . The safety of students should be the number one concern. We live in a country where believe in practicing our amendments and Freedom of Speech is one of them.

It is our responsibility as students, and most of all, as American citizens, to stand up for the essential freedoms we deserve. Punishment for these actions denies us a voice we so desperately need in these trying times. Just because we may not have the right to vote yet does not mean that we do not have the responsibility to be informed Americans and to spread awareness to our peers and those in the highest levels of the U.S. government of the issues that we feel are most important in the present moment. We should not be reprimanded for being American citizens.

According to the First Amendment, Americans have the freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly. Therefore, students who are taking part of an act of peaceful civil disobedience in an attempt to create a positive change in their society should not face any serious consequences for their actions. If those actions were to turn violent and disruptive, school administration has the responsibilty to intervene, but in cases of peaceful protest, students have the right to express their opinion in unconventional ways.

My school is learning about movements and protests that started with the students, and I feel like as teenagers, schools do have a right to punish us, but that wouldn’t affect us as much. If everyone is passionate about what they fought for, they will still push through like Rosa Parks did after the numerous times she went to jail. No matter the amount of backlash we get from schools and the government, students WILL fight back.

Students taking 17 minutes out of a school day to honor Florida’s victims as well as exercise their first amendment rights, especially because lots of schools allowed it, is hardly civil disobedience in the first place. On another note, it should’t result with punishment either way. Getting suspended could ruin the student’s entire future, even though what they did was peaceful and for a good cause. Not only that, the walkout took only 17 minutes out of a 7 hour school day. Schools need to encourage students to stand up for what they believe in and make themselves heard! We wouldn’t be here today if nobody stood up for their beliefs. What would be the point of ruining a kid’s future just for using their voice in a free country?

Students should be allowed to participate in such protests without any consequences if it is done accordingly. The students who partook in this protest did not harm any one they were only voicing their opinion in a non violent way. Protests should be encouraged by the schools because it allows students to have a voice; and it allows them to learn from such experience and conduct further protests in a respected manner.

No because they are staying up for what is right. They should be able to protest and have their voice heard. If students do not get to stand up and protest they will not be able to learn what it’s like to protest

Every student has rights which include, freedom of speech and a peaceful protest, which means participating in walk-outs, protests and other activities regardless of the school rules. Even though I understand where school administrators are coming from they should not punish their students for speaking their mind.

Regardless of the reason why people are protesting, in shouts or silence, the first amendment states that everyone has the right to protest as long as it stays safe and nonviolent. Teachers may give students consequences, but for what? Because after years of violence, and death, we finally come together as one big community to take a stand? 17 minutes of silence is not asking much, especially being the cause it is for. We protest together voicing our opinions about these now repetitive occurrences that are taking innocent lives away from us, for no reason. And get punished or not, our country that has the right to stand up and voice what is right, and maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference.

Although they may be breaking a school rule, these students are standing up for what they believe in. Without this message that they are sending, we may never have change. These protests are starting change. Students should not be punished for what they believe in. We have the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest, and these students are exercising their rights. If teachers believe they should be punished, then they should rethink this and realize that the students are just trying to make the country safer for present and future students.

I believe that students who commit acts of civil disobedience should not be punished beyond the rules explicitly stated by the school prior to the school administrators notification of the students’ disobedience because they are expressing their opinion peacefully, and their actions are supported by the right to free speech and peaceful protest.

These students know what they were standing up for, and the organizers obviously kept in mind the consequences they would be facing for leaving class. What wasn’t expected was the idea of more punishment than necessary, and being punished for a peaceful protest. The only punishments these people should endure are the ones previously put in place by the schools.

Many shootings of recent years have happened in schools, to students. These students should have the right to protest what they believe in. These students are not violently representing their opinions, and should not be punished for it.

I mean, it depends. If it is violent, that is not OK. But if it is peaceful, where is the harm in that? Sure, they may be late for classes, but at least they are caring about something important and not being teenagery and angsty.

According to the First Amendment of the Constitution, all people are given the right of free speech, even students. They are peacefully protesting in a nonviolent way. What is the harm in this? There is no reason for the students to be disciplined for honoring the lives of students that were unrightfully slaughtered.

Gun violence in schools has been happened for a very long time now. Schools should be a place of safe learning. If students feel unsafe, they should be able to protest nonviolently, which is what many students are now doing by walking out. In fact, the people being directly affected by school shootings are not just the students, but the entire school. For example, the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida killed not only students, but teachers also. The shooting was also terrifying to everyone at the school. I believe that the best action would be for the schools themselves to take initiative and allot time during the school day for walking out. The schools can sort out the details themselves about when, where, and for how much time. Of course this brings up other problems, like some schools not supporting the movement for gun control, which in turn would mean greater consequences for students trying to walk out to show their support. Whether or not schools should participate in walkouts should be decided by the entire school, not just the administration. This way, students won’t have to be disciplined for just expressing their opinions in a peaceful manner. If students take advantage of this time given for peaceful protesting, only then should they be disciplined for their actions.

it should be acknowledged that students have limited rights on school grounds but they are limited with the thought of ensuring the safety of students. With this exhibition of their they are trying to ensure their safety in schools. They want legislative reform from the very adults that believe that we are nothing but a bunch of teenagers with no knowledge of politics, law, and the world around us. If the government will not try to keep students, teachers, and administrators safe than the people must try to get the government to do it. If the government does not want to have more rules on who can and cannot purchase a gun, even after so many incidents where the same automatic weapon is used than it is up to the people, the students, to force them to have more rules. Another student should not have to die for their to be reform.

Students shouldn’t be reprimanded for protesting something they believed in. As Americans, one of our most protected rights is the freedom of speech. These protests were used to show citizens discontent with how the government is handling the issue of school shootings. Public schools are an extension of the government and therefore cannot ignore our rights. Unless the schools could provide a equal opportunity to protest, that can create the same impact then they have no right punishing these students. This is also shown by the precendent sent by the Supreme Court with the Tinker v Des Moines 1969 ruling regarding symbolic speech. The impact of having students out of class for 17 minutes is something you can’t create outside of schools hours. Therefore, these students shouldn’t be punished based on their actions.

Students do not deserve punishment for standing up for what they believe in. If it goes against previously enforced school rules, than okay. But otherwise, let students be leaders and let them have their own voice.

In the words of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, “Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.” Though his words were originally intended in the context of actions taken by the Cuban government, they are today applicable to our own society.
Following the multitude of school shootings in recent years, acts which leave schools and communities frightened and apprehensive, young protesters have received a great amount of both support and criticism from politicians on their outspoken demonstrations.
Many students, particularly those located in regions in which the majority of the population opposes their viewpoints, have even been persecuted by their school and local authorities. While it is perfectly within the rights of school officials to do so, it is also decidedly unethical and un-American.
Such an issue is not unprecedented. In 1973, famed American author Kurt Vonnegut became a focal point of national attention when the superintendent of Drake High School in North Dakota burned 32 copies of his book Slaughterhouse Five after receiving complaints from the community that the books were inappropriate for a high school audience due to their “course language”.
The nation was in outrage. This school had taken it upon itself to determine what its students could and could not experience and express, and it had done so in a way which seemed to undermine the very principles upon which America was built.
Sound familiar? Though the situations are different, the core issue is the same, and thus, the response should also be similar. Schools have a duty to protect and to educate their students, and to encourage them to be active, productive citizens. Punishing students for exercising their right to express their beliefs and fight for a positive change contradicts all of these responsibilities, and indeed contradicts the basis of democracy.
Schools may have the right to punish students for exercising rights of their own, but in doing so they push the already divided country closer to the “violent revolution” which President Kennedy forewarned.

This act of walking out of the class room did not cause harm to anyone involved. It only showed a disapproval on this matter. This is same kind of thing was exhibited in the subprime court case Texas v. Johnson where a protester burned a American flag as a way so expressing himself. In the “walk out” and this case no one was hurt, so the question of if we should punish them or not should be decided based upon presidents from other cases involving the right to freely express oneself.

I believe that the only punishment students should receive is whatever coincides with already-standing attendance and tardy policy. Students would already be aware of this rule and could then decide to take action as they see fit. Acts of peaceful protest – like the walkout – is a right and device of practicing democracy. Students should definitely be allowed to participate because soon they will be voting and seeing movements and changes around them. Just because some of them may not be 18, does not mean they cannot understand the politics going on around them.

All our lives, we are taught to engage in activities such as this in order to make a mark on the world. Teachers and schools actively tell us to do these kinds of things. However, the moment it affects them, they want to punish the students who participate. Punishing these students goes against what these same schools have taught us since we could understand what civil disobedience is.

If students are reprimanded for taking action in order to facilitate change, then schools are causing students to be less likely to be active citizens because they were suspended or received other punishment for trying to change their society. Students have the right to assemble, and if administration works with the students they can make the protest safe and effective and keep everything in order to allow their students to demonstrate in support of their beliefs. It will additionally teach students skills in order to facilitate change as young adults as well as the ability to vocalize their ideas and peacefully assemble.

I believe no because they are standing up for what is right in a civil protest. They are not going out on a killing spree, but acting in a civil manner. We are the future of America and it is our duty to prtect the country we live in. We will eventually have to endure all of this one day, so why not create a safe environment now?

Freedom of speech and the freedom to express your opinions, whatever they may be, are some of the founding principles of America. School does not have the ability to limit these rights. Though it is breaking school rules, the walkouts and other forms of civil disobedience are performed in order to raise awareness for an issue threatening people’s lives. With issues already continuing due to failure to speak out, it is up to the students. Schools should not limit students’ influence, especially because a lack of action could ultimately lead to death.

The walk out was so that we can honor people who shouldn’t have even been killed. What happened is the US Government’s fault because they can’t suck it up. It is 2018, why is it that people are living in fear at the one place they’ve been going to so that they can have a wonderful future. Now 17 kids who were at school, learning, don’t have a future.

Participating in protests and walkouts not only opens up their mind to more creative approaches to politics and current events but it helps them grow as citizens. Students ARE the future and if they are able to form in-depth and educated opinions about something such as this, AND do something, then when they’re of voting age, they’ll be able to cause more change and more growth within the government. Punishing them for something that is not only written in the Constitution but something that they feel so passionate about, it affects them later in life and lessens our chances for a bigger and brighter future. If you discipline people on something that directly affects them and their loved ones, it doesn’t make them any less determined and passionate about what they believe in, it only lessens their trust in both the system and the government.

Students walking out shows first and foremost that they are paying attention to what is going on in their country. It shows that they believe in something and are prepared to exercise their constitutional rights in order to push lawmakers to do something. I believe that students should not be disciplined for doing this but instead teachers and administrators should use protests like this one to educate students. Specifically they should be educated on what constitutional rights allow them to protest in this manner (free speech, freedom to assemble, and freedom to protest), as well as try to show them what they can do to make a bigger change, like attending large marches, registering to vote, volunteering for campaigns that they support, etc. So in short, I do not believe that students should be reprimanded for participating in this walk out, instead I think they should be praised for their mindfulness and taught how to further direct their efforts.

America itself was created upon the grounds the oppression will not be stood for. We as a society and furthermore as a nation should all partake in forms of civil disobedience. Simply because standing by and watching will only make the problem worse and eventually it’ll be so bad that there will be no fix. Standing up and fighting, resisting in a civil way is the way to a better future for us all.

Students, like any American citizen, have a right to make a stand for what they believe in. However, their act of making a stand should not interfere with their civic duty. Students walking out of school would be like police officers quitting being officers to protest criminal activity. Especially considering not every single student who marches might care about the cause; they just want to get out of classes for the day. Again, students have every right to make a stand. Their right to try and make a change, however, shouldn’t interfere with their schoolwork.

Students should not be specifically punished for acts of civil disobedience. It would be wrong to impose new rules on students as to suppress the protests currently happening. But it is important to realize that if a student is willingly defying the rules, they have to accept that punishment. That is a core principle of civil disobedience that has been seen in history, most famously with MLK jr. when he was arrested in Birmingham jail. He knew he defied the law and excepted that. Students who understood the rules and principles of the school and still choose to deny them, have to accept that punishment is a part of their actions. Overall, students should not be reprimanded by the school for civil disobedience as it would oppress the First Amendment rights.

I believe it’s all about freedom of choice. When it’s that many kids taking a stand then the issues need to be addressed. I feel like it was for a good cause, honestly. The USA is all about speaking out and freedom of speech so the teens should be able to do it. I believe the intentions were positive.

It is well within the rights of these students as Americans to have their voices heard. If anything they should be getting praised for paying attention to the news and forming an opinion at a young age. Politics is an important topic in our society and for the youth to partake in that is admirable.

No! We want to be heard! Our generation wants to speak out against the gun laws that haven’t brought any reassurance that we can obtain an education without the fear of guns being placed in our mindsets! We need to speak out and if congress wants to just sit and watch, then they can! They need to see that we are using our rights to stand up for a cause that will affect further generations! Congratulations to the students who are showing bravery and courage! Shame on those who hault them from acting on a cause that they feel passionate enough about to walk out of a “safe” enviornment!

Public discipline is never the way to go when trying to maintain order in an a school. It is the students right to excercise whatever opinion they have as long as it is school boundaries. There can most definitely be consequences but physical discipline violates many human rights. Suspension, detention or missed grades are fine punishments, not physical discipline. Overall, a student and the teacher should both realize their boundaries as to not cause any such confrontations.

The students should not leave the school without school authority’s permission, and this does not matter how great is the thing that they are about to do. And they certainly have the right to discuss with the school about it and do it in other time.Ironically, this protest of school security is actually undermining school security. If anyone can just walk out of the school without any consequence or without anyone notice, then similar tragedy more likely to happen again. The safety of a school ultimately is relied on its students.

Going to school we should know that we are safe and us as students stood up to say no more to gun violence in schools. None of the political leader want to do anything so we say no more

Protesting peacefully does not equate to civil disobedience. Students have the right to exercise their right of free speech, even in the school setting. Most of these “walkouts” have occurred on school campuses. However, should students decide to join a political walkout, they should know what policies are in place for absences in their state, school district, and their school so that they’re aware of the potential consequences. During school hours, students cannot be punished for speaking out unless their speech disrupts the functioning of the school. In my research, in 1969 the Supreme Court of the United States of America recognized in a decision upholding the right of Mary Beth Tinker to wear an armband to school in protest of the Vietnam War. This ruling showed that students do not lose their constitutional rights while in a school setting. I think students in schools should be supported in their efforts to voice their concerns and be involved in political issues that affect their everyday lives. Their efforts should be lauded as they are the future leaders of our country.

Students by participating in acts of civil disobedience are expressing their rights to free speech protected by the first amendment. According to the supreme court case Tinker v. Des Moines “the First Amendment continues to protect the right of students to express controversial views that are not disruptive but may disagree with official school policy”. In one case in a local school near me students were being suspended not for walking out, but for expressing political opinions while walking out. As ruled by the supreme court the constitution does not end at the school door and as such students should not be punished for participating in such acts.

Students be not be disciplined for participating in acts of Civil Disobedience. Everyone has freedom of speech, no matter age. They should be allowed to voice their opinions because they are the future.

No, students should not be disciplined for standing up for what they believe in. If the school doesn’t want you to speak up for those that are hurting, how else will they do if they say it will not happen again? It only reinforces that gun violence is in fact okay when it isn’t. Do not let anyone tell you not to speak up. Speak out for the victims of school shootings.

Civil Disobedience serves as a form of free speech and is a stepping stone to progressing society as a whole. With examples across multiple cultures worldwide such as: Gandhi’s resistance against British strategic oppression, the Asian culture of using stoicism in the face of danger to usher a message for change and many examples in the Civil Rights Movement that counteract the argument of “disciplining” civil disobedience. To discipline or silence civil disobedience is the same as agreeing to shutting out an individual’s right to the freedom of speech.

No, I do not believe students should be punished for participating in acts of ¨civil disobedience¨. We as individuals under the constitution are entitled to our own opinions and are able to act out on them. If we (as students) believe that peacefully stepping out of a classroom for 17 minutes will make a difference to keep OUR schools safer then I think students have a right to participate. I don’t think that the students should be persuaded either way. I think that if the students walk out for themselves and their own safety that they should NOT be disciplined for standing up for themselves and their school. As students were are scared, because of all the violence, and we are tired or sitting in a corner. We are making a stand.

Students just like any other have the right to free speech. They were trying to get the governments attention and this happened to be the best way to do it. If they are punished for this it certainly means that we do not want to put a halt to school shootings and that scares me!