LAKE NONA, Fla. — Thousands of students held another walkout Friday in protest of political action on gun laws and in memory of the victims of the Columbine High School shooting, which happened 19 years ago on this day.

  • After Parkland shooting, students walked out to protest gun violence
  • Some students will walk out; others will stay inside and discuss topics
  • Orange County Public Schools states it will not discourage students from walking

Students at Lake Nona High School left the classroom at 10 a.m. for 13 seconds. Each second is for each life lost in that shooting that took place in April 20, 1999.

The walkout is just the latest as students revolt against gun laws and gun violence in schools. The most recent walkout happened after the Parkland shooting when students across the country walked out of class to have their voices heard and raise awareness to changes they say need to be made in our nation’s gun laws. 

But not all students across Central Florida will be walking out of class. In Marion County, students will constructively use a 30-minute time period to exchange ideas, discuss differing opinions, and offer hard-thought solutions on how the community should address school tragedies like what happened at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14, that left 17 people dead.

Orange County Public Schools stated that it is neither encouraging nor discouraging students to participate. OCPS stated it will not discipline students who chose to take part.