School Walkout Protests Raise Questions About Students’ Rights

Students across the country participate in walkouts Wednesday to protest gun violence, one month after the deadly shooting inside a high school in Parkland, Fla.

Julio Cortez / Associated Press

Wednesday morning, students at schools here in Georgia and all over the country will walk out of their classrooms. It’s to mark one month since the school shooting in Parkland, Florida that killed 17 students and to protest gun violence.

School districts around metro Atlanta are reacting to the planned protest differently. Some are leaning in and have planned lessons and activities around it. Others have warned that students who participate will face consequences.

The moment raises questions about students’ constitutional right to protest. Sean Young, legal director of the Georgia Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. joined Sam Whitehead on “Morning Edition” to work through some of those questions.