The Observation Deck

On a very cold March 14, 2018 Lakewood High School students joined with students across the country in a show of solidarity and with the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida where 17 people were shot and killed a month ago.

The students walked out in an orderly manner approved by the Administration and the Lakewood Board of Education. Many of these students will travel to Washington D.C. later this month that to the funding and support of the residents and businesses of Lakewood that helped them raise over $8,000 for the trip. They will continue their protest and demand for safer schools, and better gun control from our elected officials.

The media was not allowed at this event, but these images came from school administrators and students that helped me put this video together.

Together we can make schools and communities safer. Together we can make an impact at the ballot box, and on the streets.







Lakewood High Students, administrators and BOE you continue to make us all proud.

Thank you.

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Proud and impressed from a 50 year alumni. Keep up the World Activism! Stan Austin '67.

In some of the other pictures I saw, there was someone who looked like a commissar headed for Red Square. Who was that guy?

But very proud of the students.

They were outstanding. They walked from the building and assembled in the stadium in an orderly manner, stood quietly and attentively, and went back in to classes when it was over. Very proud of them.

Call me jaded, but if the administration is part of this, then it's not really a "protest".
It's more akin to a pep rally for the homecoming football game.
Protest is supposed to make people uncomfortable and challenge the status quo.
This seems more like a "Hands Across America" feel-good event.

How many people actually remember the purpose of "Hands Across America"?

The students requested it. The administrated facilitated it. Give them credit.

Edward Favre wrote:The students requested it. The administrated facilitated it. Give them credit.

Mike

I would say that while it did have the "pep rally feel" until you heard the students speak. I saw it more as a pepe rally in support of the movement, and the next step which is students heading to Washington for a larger protest.

I would also the difference between the two was this movement seems to have goals, and are willing to push the system to get them. All across the country they are looking for action on gun control, and registering to vote. They are coming up with actual suggestions and pushing them, and continuing to push them and grow. At the same time they are learning in baby steps votes and pressure matter.

I think "Hands Across America" was a feel good togetherness movement. To help the homeless, the poor and those that are hungry. But what were the actual plans of actions past the initial fund raising? These kids, and those with them have immediate goals. Eliminate weapons of war, tighten gun control, get new laws in place, stop some of the commercialization of instruments of war.

In the suburbs, in the urban areas of cities, kids that are becoming old enough to vote are getting stronger, louder, and larger.

I believe that it is like a louder version of the long overdue "Me Too" movement that seems to flow in waves, but continues grow, spread and knock down barriers.

Only time will tell, but I give the kids a lot of credit for what they have done, and hopefully will continue to do.

I also give those willing to support the kids a lot of credit too. Especially in this case the teachers, administrators, and Board of Education Members. Empowering anyone is a two edge sword, and that is even more iffy when you are empowering those you have dominion over.

Time will tell, but it looks good for America at this point.

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Michael Deneen wrote:Call me jaded, but if the administration is part of this, then it's not really a "protest".
It's more akin to a pep rally for the homecoming football game.
Protest is supposed to make people uncomfortable and challenge the status quo.
This seems more like a "Hands Across America" feel-good event.

How many people actually remember the purpose of "Hands Across America"?

OK. You're jaded. You think this was a "feel good" event for the students? You think our students "feel good" about being fearful a gun event might occur in their school? You think our students "feel good" that the grown ups supposed to protect them with laws are in the pockets of the NRA? You think our students "feel good" that over 20 school shootings have occurred in the last three months? You think our students "feel good" that all of us, as adults, have sat by and wished our thoughts and prayers after every attack and yet not gotten off our collective butts and demanded more from our government to change gun laws?

To call this a feel good event is beyond ridiculous. These students are scared. And articulate. Did you even listen to their speeches? This is about as far from "Hands Across America" as the Cleveland Browns are from the Super Bowl.

Good for the students for working with the administration. Good for the administration for listening to the students and working together with them. I feel bad that any adult would think that this was a feel good event and it shows the challenge the students have of being taken seriously in the world.

Matthew Lee wrote:

Michael Deneen wrote:Call me jaded, but if the administration is part of this, then it's not really a "protest".
It's more akin to a pep rally for the homecoming football game.
Protest is supposed to make people uncomfortable and challenge the status quo.
This seems more like a "Hands Across America" feel-good event.

How many people actually remember the purpose of "Hands Across America"?

OK. You're jaded. You think this was a "feel good" event for the students? You think our students "feel good" about being fearful a gun event might occur in their school? You think our students "feel good" that the grown ups supposed to protect them with laws are in the pockets of the NRA? You think our students "feel good" that over 20 school shootings have occurred in the last three months? You think our students "feel good" that all of us, as adults, have sat by and wished our thoughts and prayers after every attack and yet not gotten off our collective butts and demanded more from our government to change gun laws?

To call this a feel good event is beyond ridiculous. These students are scared. And articulate. Did you even listen to their speeches? This is about as far from "Hands Across America" as the Cleveland Browns are from the Super Bowl.

Good for the students for working with the administration. Good for the administration for listening to the students and working together with them. I feel bad that any adult would think that this was a feel good event and it shows the challenge the students have of being taken seriously in the world.

Matt

I would add one more point. In many of these attacks, Administration, teachers and adults were also shot and or killed.

Our President's "plan" calls for the arming of Administration and Teachers, from which they was a loud and resounding "NO!"

Which means in my book they too, earned the right to protest.

While I watched the news last night and the thousands of students taking to the streets, it made me wish, our students had a less structured event. But at the same time talking with many of the students involved in the planing and protest, they appreciated the support of administration, teachers and the community. It will be interesting to see what they say and what happens in the coming days.

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The support of the administration and community really makes this particular event stand out. This was a very good thing and makes me proud to be in Lakewood and of these kids yes.