Galesburg High School students walked out of class today and observed 17 minutes of silence in honor of the 17 that were slain at a Florida high school, one month ago to the day.While administration was clued into the basics of what students were planning, this demonstration was entirely student driven according to Superintendent John Asplund.
There were also several community members on the sidewalk in front of the building showing students support.
Asplund said administration talked to the Galesburg Ministerial Association and United Against Hate to come to support the students and block the front of the school property in case there was a counter protest or disparaging comments being made towards students.
Another adult in attendance was Galesburg Heart and Soul team member, Louise Wilder who said she wanted to be there to “support the children”.
Wilder says she thought of today as more of a memorial to the students and staff killed at Parkland High School.
She tells WGIL that she was impressed by the demonstration that the students organized.
“I think they’re a great group of young people,” Wilder says. “And I think we need to support them completely, they’re our tomorrow and they’re going to be making decisions and we should hear them.”
Asplund said that the demonstration seemed to be taken solemnly and seriously by students.
WGIL has been informed by administration of similar memorials at other area high schools with some differences.
ROWVA invited students to come to the library to discuss school safety, Knoxville students were going to discuss inclusion and Monmouth-Roseville was going to discuss school safety in the gym.
All of these districts also were planning moments of silent reflection to memorialize those killed.
