National School Walkout Day in Central Texas

Friday is National School Walkout Day and students across the country, including here in Austin, plan to participate. It comes on the 19th anniversary of the shooting at Columbine High School, where 13 people were killed. 

This is another walkout to rally for gun control legislation.

Students from several dozen schools in Central Texas are expected to participate. Each school has a different time for the walkout, but many all plan on meeting at the capitol for a rally. The walkout is being called the Texas Capitol Walkout.

It's a walkout, march and rally meant to bring together students, teachers, staff and parents in support of gun control reform. Students are asking state leaders to hear them out and take action to protect them in school.

Students FOX 7 spoke to in Austin say they’re demanding the following:

  • universal, comprehensive background checks
  • ban assault weapons 
  • limit the purchase of guns and ammo
  • restrict the sale of unlicensed gun parts
  • end the sale of law enforcement fire arms to the general public
  • destroy guns turned in during buy-back programs.

Beginning at 10 a.m. students are expected to start walking out of class. Many will go downtown to march to the south steps of the capitol and hold a rally there. The march to the capitol starts at 12:30 and the rally is from from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

Austin ISD officials did send out a letter to parents letting them students who participate will receive an unexcused absence. 

For more information on Texas Capitol Walkout, head here