Students have a right to be safe at school and a right to protest when they believe they are not. We applaud Cape Henlopen School District for being 100 percent compliant with Delaware's Comprehensive School Safety Program standards and Cape's commitment to making our schools even safer. We also applaud the district for supporting our students' right to demand a better and safer world.
The district has announced students are being given the option to participate in the ENOUGH National School Walkout, scheduled for March 14. This nationwide initiative, organized by Women's March's Youth Empower, will take place on the one-month anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The walkout will last for 17 minutes in honor of the 17 beautiful lives taken in the tragedy. Cape students may choose to participate in this action, and various staff members and administrators will be with the students throughout the duration of the walkout.
As the district indicated in its statement about the walkout, the administration is looking at this as an opportunity for our students to participate in the democratic process of peaceful protest. This also represents a teachable moment for all students. They are learning in real time about both the First and Second Amendments, and have the opportunity to think critically about the words written in our Constitution.
Additionally, they are learning the power of exercising their right to demand action. We encourage all students to discuss and debate the meaning of these words and the rights and privileges they represent with their friends, parents, family members, fellow students, and teachers. Like Women's March Youth Empower, we believe it is imperative young people have their voices heard. We believe adults should not presume to speak on their behalf nor should they silence the students' voices. And, like Cape, we believe students should be active, informed, and engaged participants in the democratic process, including choosing to participate in the right to peaceful protest.
Our state and perhaps our country could be on the brink of a turning point. Gov. Carney has called for a ban on assault weapons. Prior to Feb. 14 several bills were before our General Assembly that would ban bump stocks, allow family members and law enforcement to request protective orders for the removal of firearms from dangerous individuals, and remove firearms from certain individuals suffering from mental illness. At the federal level there are over 80 bills that have been sitting in wait that would strengthen gun laws and protect our children both in school and out.
Data from the journal Pediatrics show firearm-related deaths are the third leading cause of death overall among U.S. children ages 1 to 17 years and the second leading cause of injury-related death. In addition, 4.2 percent of children ages 0 to 17 in the United States have witnessed a shooting in the past year. Gun safety is a public health problem, and it is time to look toward change.
We challenge Cape's students and all Delawareans to learn about the proposed laws before us and advocate for what you believe. Walkouts, protests, and marches galvanize a movement, but the road to permanent change will require a long-term commitment and the work of many engaged individuals of all ages.
Nobody knew more about the road ahead than Marjory Stoneman Douglas herself. She was a journalist, activist, and author who lived to age 108. She advocated for women's suffrage and for the protection of the Everglades, most notably with her book "Everglades: River of Grass."
We imagine she would be quite proud of the activism students are showing as they advocate for their own deeply held beliefs, and she would stand with us as we thank Cape for the support they are showing our students. We are #CapeProud.
Women's March Sussex
Rebecca Lowe
Aimee Isaac
Pamela Malsch
Sue Nyden
Deb Rouse
Connie Jones
Diane Daum
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