Sorry if this is late to the discussion, I type...very...slowly.

Very respectfully disagree with you Kuleana, you make a good argument.  Really had to think about this one.

As was stated before,  the right to free speech is guaranteed and all of us agree, support and practice that daily.  What is annoying is that the DOE is selectively endorsing an anti-2a speech (and also endorsing incorrect information) by removing all reasonable consequences.  I mean consequences which could be considered a punishment but I think of them to be slightly different.  If you want to skip class to exercise free speech, then I don't want you thrown in jail, expelled or tazed, but I expect the class to continue as normal.  The student will miss attendance and be put in detention, miss the content of today's lecture and possibly receive a poor grade on that subject if they later fail the quiz/test.  When the DOE stops classes and helps to organize the walk out, they are endorsing the political view and removing the reasonable consequences.  The students are kids, so we should all try to remember how we thought back then...super impulsive and always up for a "field trip".  We would hope, however, that the adults in charge would hold themselves to a higher standard and teach the kids some responsibility for their actions.  Furthermore, by proposing that there be no consequences for exercising free speech in school, we could effectively end education as we know it.  Everyday, many students would feel the need to "exercise" that right without fear of any consequences.  "I want to go protest such and such, I am leaving.  Mr/Mrs. Teacher, you must now stop class for x minutes so I can speak freely." Next student does the same etc...class never resumes.

First of all, I never said students should be exempt from violating school policies.  The point I was trying to make was the act itself, whether be it a protest/walkout, should not be prevented.  If there are consequences in participating in either activity, students and their parents be ready to accept them.

Second, I agree with your rationale and am very disappointed with the ulterior motives of the anti-gunners who are yet using another tragedy to further their agenda.  However, the fact of the matter is that the walkout tomorrow is only 17 minutes long, roughly the length of time a trip to the bathroom and back to class.  If this event were longer in duration or something to be held on multiple days, I would agree that the event is more anti-gun propaganda than paying reverence to those students lost in Florida.

Notwithstanding, the fact the event is only 17 minutes long, I fear any movement to prevent or derail the walkout would only provide anti-gun groups the evidence they need to demonize pro-gun supporters, particularly to the silent majority, as being insensitive to the memories of the victims the walkout was suppose to honor.

However, the fact of the matter is that the walkout tomorrow is only 17 minutes long, roughly the length of time a trip to the bathroom and back to class.  I

First of all, I never said students should be exempt from violating school policies.  The point I was trying to make was the act itself, whether be it a protest/walkout, should not be prevented.  If there are consequences in participating in either activity, students and their parents be ready to accept them.

Second, I agree with your rationale and am very disappointed with the ulterior motives of the anti-gunners who are yet using another tragedy to further their agenda.  However, the fact of the matter is that the walkout tomorrow is only 17 minutes long, roughly the length of time a trip to the bathroom and back to class.  If this event were longer in duration or something to be held on multiple days, I would agree that the event is more anti-gun propaganda than paying reverence to those students lost in Florida.

Notwithstanding, the fact the event is only 17 minutes long, I fear any movement to prevent or derail the walkout would only provide anti-gun groups the evidence they need to demonize pro-gun supporters, particularly to the silent majority, as being insensitive to the memories of the victims the walkout was suppose to honor.

Superintendent Art Souza has not responded to my email asking him to provide me with a copy of his announcement to students and parents verifying his quoted statement in the Tribune Herald that  "...there’s no political statements, this is simply to honor the memory of those who lost their lives " How hard would that have been? Here's one from another administrator in another part of the country.

In Pensacola, Florida, Superintendent Malcolm Thomas ordered students to hold an in-school assembly instead, telling them they could discuss voting and mental health issues, but not guns, and saying that political banners would not be allowed.

"You can't make political statements, it can't be a pro-gun or anti-gun assembly," Thomas told the Pensacola News-Journal.

* * * * *
I don't know that Thomas can "legally" make that limitation, and have to wonder if any students will challenge it.

And just to be clear the organizers (#ENOUGH) of this "walkout" have purely political intent, as per their FAQ: "It is important that when we refer to gun violence, we do not overlook the impact of police brutality and militarized policing, or see police in schools as a solution. We also recognize the United States has exported gun violence through imperialist [I thought even the commies had given up on that word!] foreign policy to destabilize other nations. We raise our voices for action against all these forms of gun violence."

Their "demands":

THE PRIORITY POLICIES WE SUPPORT

Banning Assault Weapons & High Capacity Magazines / S. 2095

Expanding Background Checks to All Gun Sales / S 2009

Passing Gun Violence Restraining Order Law / H.R. 2598 /  S. 1212

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act / S.1856 / H.R. 1556
 

THE PRIORITY POLICIES WE OPPOSE

Conceal Carry Reciprocity HR 38 / S 446

Any legislation that would aim to fortify our schools with more guns.

https://prepforthat.com/hawaii-school-sends-offensive-walk-out-letter-to-parents/

Someone I know works at Palisades Elem and they were telling the kids/teachers that they will have a 17 minute remembrance for the people who died.  At least as far as she has heard, not specifically anti gun yet.  I will ask today, about what was actually said.

Very lengthy article documenting many "walkouts" around the country includes these three sentences:

“My sense is this represents the overwhelming amount of study body, and there are a number of students who disagree with them,” said Lower Merion School District Superintendent Robert Copeland.

"About a dozen students held a counter-protest, defending the Second Amendment. None of those students commented after their walkout."

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/03/14/delaware-valley-national-walkout-day/

That’s what I heard on the radio this morning as well.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/at-a-school-in-north-carolina-he-was-the-only-one-of-700-students-who-walked-out/

https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2018/03/14/no-more-calls-we-have-a-winner-for-nationalstudentwalkout-facepalm-inducing-sign-of-the-day/?utm_campaign=twitchywidget