SPOKANE, Wash. -- Friday marks 19 years since the Columbine High School shooting, when 12 students and one teacher were killed.
Students across the nation plan to walkout of class Friday to protest gun violence again.
Students in the Inland Northwest are not done calling for change. Students from Lewis and Clark, Ferris, Cheney and North Central High Schools are planning to hold a rally in Riverfront Park at noon on Friday. Students said they plan to peacefully walkout of school on Friday at 10:00 a.m., then gather in the park for a rally.
KREM 2 asked Spokane Public School District leaders how they plan to handle the walkouts. They referred to their district policies for excused and unexcused absence, as well as their policy for Freedom of Assembly. The policy only addresses demonstrations on school grounds and states the activities should not interfere with the normal operation of school or educational process. It goes on to say, "If any activity is not conducted in accordance with this policy, students participating shall be subject to disciplinary or corrective action." The district did not elaborate on what the disciplinary action will be.
East Valley School District leaders said they do not anticipate any of their students participating in Friday's walkout. They plan to have a normal class schedule Friday. If students do want to walkout, they would need to have their parents call and excuse their absence.
This is also the case at Cheney High School. Staff said if students plan to leave campus they would need to be excused by a parent. They said students might do a walkout at 10:00 a.m. but for now it is still up in the air. Staff said they support their students right to have a voice.
KREM 2 also reached out to the Central Valley School District but have not yet heard back.
Freeman school administrators previously told KREM 2 students plan to participate in the walkout day on Friday. We have not yet heard back from them today for more specifics.