TUCKER, Ga. – Throughout Wednesday, thousands of students, local and nationwide, walked out of their classrooms for 17 minutes for the National School Walkout.
But at Tucker High School, five students were punished.
Following Wednesday’s student demonstration, the DeKalb County School System said a group of six students sat on the floor in the hallway “in an act of civil disobedience.”
Ian Nuhfer, one of the students disciplined, said following the 17-minute walk out, he and other students sat down in the largest hallway in the school for a 6-hour silent protest against gun violence and teachers carrying guns.
"I came inside, saw a couple of students sitting there and I sat down and more came," 16-year-old Nuhfer said. "The administrators came by threatening with suspensions. Some students got scared and left, five stayed."
“DCSD strongly believes in its students’ right to freedom of expression, while always in a safe manner that does not interrupt the instructional environment,” the district said in a statement.
After, school administrators spoke with the students and advised them that they were in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, which would result in disciplinary action.
"We just felt like 17 minutes wasn’t nearly enough for all the lives lost and while it was a great step towards what we are going for, all the walkouts in the world couldn’t be enough for it so we wanted to go even further and get everyone’s attention," Nufher said.
Nufher and four other students were given a one-day suspension.
Molly Bardsley, Nuhfer's mom said she was proud of the students for standing up what they believe.
"They knew that there would be consequences for engaging in this protest and they felt that it was important enough to take those consequences."
Marleni Raymundo said the movement was more important than her getting into trouble.
"I think it's kind of ridiculous because we're fighting for our protection and their protection and they are not being supportive of that," the 17-year-old said.
Jennifer Smash, the mother of 15-year-old Victoria Smash, told 11Alive she supports her daughter 100 percent.
"I think the kids stood up today for what they believe in," Smash said. "Us as parents, we're nervous every day. Our kids are going to school and we don't know if that's the last time we're going to see them."
Nufher said they're not going to stop. He plans on reaching out to multiple leaders, city and state, and will be involved in "March for Our Lives" on March 24.
"We're going to push to make a change," Nufher said.
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The full statement from the district is below:
“Following today’s student demonstration at Tucker High School, a group of six students chose to sit on the floor in a hallway at the school in an act of civil disobedience. According to a letter written to the Superintendent/CEO, the students shared their actions were due to their beliefs on Georgia gun laws.
DCSD strongly believes in its students’ right to freedom of expression, while always in a safe manner that does not interrupt the instructional environment. In an effort to de-escalate the situation, DCSD offered alternatives to this activity: school administrators spoke with the students and advised that such activities were a violation of the Student Code of Conduct that may result in disciplinary action.
The students shared that they remained steadfast in their beliefs, regardless of the consequences. Based on the Code of Conduct, the school levied a one day suspension against five of the students; the sixth student chose to leave the hallway and return to class.”
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