Today, Wednesday March 14, students from Culver City High School, Park High School, and Culver City Middle School will be participating in a national Walkout Protest. The Walkout is meant to allow students to voice their opinions about gun violence and also honor the victims of the Parkland shooting in Florida last month.
The National Walkout Protest is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. and will last 17 minutes (one minute for every Parkland victim killed). At that time students are expected to be back in class. Culver City students, however, have a slightly different Walkout protest planned.
Martin Feinberg, Culver City Realtor, notes that in Culver City, students are planning on congregating on the CCHS football field from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Students will rally and also deliver speeches expressing their opinions on different issues. Students will return to classes after the hour is over.
CCHS seniors Carolyn Dodenhoff and Cecilia Ribordy are leading the local movement. They are working closely with staff from each of the Culver City Real Estate area schools that are participating. They are also working with students, the Culver City Council, and Culver City Police Department to ensure the Walkout Protest is possible and as safe.
“The idea of going to school should not elicit my fight or flight reaction,” Dodenhoff said. “Unfortunately, it does right now. But we’re fighting this time.”
CCHS is a California Democracy School and actively “promotes and engages students to be more civically minded through the five steps of a civic inquiry and investigation process: 1) Framing a civic inquiry around an issue that is relevant to students, 2) Conducting in-depth research on the multiple perspectives and solutions surrounding the issue, 3) Engaging in civil dialogue to reveal different points of view and perspectives, 4) Communicating a conclusion that is well-researched and, 5) Taking informed action by reaching out to policymakers for effective, appropriate solutions.”
According to CCHS Principal Dr. Lisa Cooper, “The future of our democracy depends on a citizenry that is well informed and has the capacity to be thoughtful, engaged critical thinkers and problem solvers. Rather than stifle these students as they try to express their civic activism, we are working closely with them to encourage them to express their opinions on this important issue without adversely impacting the learning environment on campus.”
Martin Feinberg, Realtor, suggests contacting Dr. Carlos Valverde, Director of Activities, at carlosvalverde@ccusd.org for more information on this event.
