Weeks ago, some students at Ocean City High School had made public their plans to join a nationwide walkout of students on March 14 at 10am. The walkouts are to last at least 17 minutes to honor the 17 students who lost their lives in the shooting in Parkland, Florida. Students have also stated plans to add additional elements to their protests such as moments of silence, speeches and chants. To date, the local school districts have been vocal about their support of the students to engage in this protest, as long as they were safe. Student safety was their main objective they claimed.
By David Todd McCarty | Monday, March 12, 2018
Today we’ve learned from a student who met with school administrators that the media will be barred from entering the area where the students plan to hold their protest, which is the football field. This has the effect of allowing the planned protest to happen in a vacuum. If high school students protest in the middle of an empty football field, does anyone hear it? The answer, simply, is no.
We find this highly disturbing and a clear sign that not only does the administration not support the student’s protest, they don’t think much of the students themselves. How would a few reporters or photographers endanger the student’s safety? That’s not the real reason of course.
One student organizer said that the administration said they were concerned that parents might become angry if students talked to the media, so they made a decision to block the media from entering the field or talking to the students.
The Standard will be attending the protest, and will do our best to be allowed to enter the field, speak to the students, and hear what they have to say. If we are blocked, then we will document what we can and speak to the students later via phone, email or text. We contacted Dr. Kathleen Taylor, the superintendent, for a comment but as of this time, we have received no response.
If you are a student at a local high school and would like your voice to be heard, contact [email protected] and tell us what you think. Include your name, gender, age, grade and school. We don’t need to use your name for the story, but want to confirm you’re actually a student.
