Bismarck students join national school walk out

Thousands of students across the nation walked out of their schools today in honor of the Florida shooting victims one month ago.

Students at Bismarck High School joined them, calling for gun reform and support for the lives lost.

You could feel the unity among students. The organizer of the walk out tells me the turnout was a lot bigger than expected.

They laid out 17 carnations in honor of the victims lost and one for the other mass shootings that have happened in our country.

“One dead child is one too many,” chanted students Wednesday morning.

Students in Bismarck gathered to voice their concerns.

They chanted enough is enough.

"This is our generations protest and something we have to stand for," said Christian Walth, BSC junior.

Standing for 18 minutes, 17 for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas victims and one for the other mass shootings in our country.

"It's more than just a couple of us organizers, that there are a lot of people that see that there is a problem in our nation that needs to be talked about," said Sarah Vadnais, walk out organizer.

As more students walked out, people in the community also showed their support.

"I believe these students represent millions, and symbolically, I believe we're representing millions of Americans who are frightened by the amount of violence," said Barb Evanson, Bismarck resident.

Some parents were concerned and voiced their concerns on Facebook saying students should just stay in class.

"You don't lose your rights as citizens at the school house door," Tamara Uselman, Bismarck superintendent.

Uselman also says that she doesn't have a fear of other kids walking in protest over other issues.

Another school in the area decided to do something different today.

Shiloh Christian says it had a walk up not out event.

School representatives tell me they challenged kids to do 17 acts of kindness and an all school prayer was held.

As for students who walked out of BHS Wednesday, they say there will be another march on the 24th.