Students at Over 200 Schools Organize Pro-Life Walkout to Recognize Babies Killed By Abortion Violence

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Apr 9, 2018   |   1:17PM   |   Washington, DC

High school students across the country have organized walk outs to draw attention to horrible shootings that have taken place at schools nationwide. Now, inspired by pro-life students in Sacramento California who are organizing a walk out to draw attention to another horrific form of violence, abortions that kill unborn babies, students at over 200 schools are participating.

More than 200 different high school and college or university campuses are preparing to participate in the #ProLifeWalkout — according to information Students for Life provided to LifeNews. Students for Life officials indicate pro-life students are finding less administrative support in general than those students organizing walkouts over gun control.

Students for Life of America president Kristan Hawkins announced that resources, legal help and training will be available for all who want to take a stand for life, to remember those lost to abortion.

Gillespie said that so far his fellow students have been supportive of his effort to draw attention to all the lives lost from abortion.

“I just want to spread awareness about the cruel things that are happening in Planned Parenthood clinics across the country, the cruel murder of these children who have done nothing wrong,” said Gillespie.

The pro-life group Family Research Council is urging pro-life students to participate in the events.

“In the nearly two months since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, numerous demonstrations calling for gun control and an end to the violence have been held. On March 14, one month after the shooting, students around the country walked out of their classes. For 17 minutes, students took to the streets to remember the 17 students who lost their lives at the Florida school in February and to call for legislative reforms,” the group said. “Prior to the March 14th walkout, Julianne Benzel, a history teacher at Rocklin High School in Sacramento, California, started a discussion among her students as to whether school officials would also allow students time out of class for a demonstration to raise awareness about lives lost to abortion. As a result of the discussion she initiated, Benzel was placed on administrative leave for two days, likely only reinstated because of the widespread backlash over her suspension.”

“Inspired by his teacher’s question, Brandon Gillespie decided he would find an answer. Gillespie met with the principal of his school and asked for the same accommodations that students were given for the March 14th walkout. The principal said he would need to talk with other school officials in the district before giving Gillespie an answer,” FRC added.

“Regardless of the principal’s answer, Gillespie is forging ahead to see if there is indeed a double standard. He has organized a nationwide Pro-Life Walkout Day on April 11th at 10 a.m. local time when students will be walking out of class for 17 minutes to raise awareness about the over 60,000,000 unborn children who have been aborted since 1973 by groups like Planned Parenthood,” FRC continued. “Students from schools across the country are joining him, and all students are invited to participate.”

“This demonstration seeks to ensure that officials give different viewpoints the same treatment. More importantly, it’s meant to show that students across America believe in the dignity of every human life—from conception to natural death—and demand that our leaders do more to protect life,” FRC concluded. “Together, we will be the generation that abolishes elective abortion.”

Students for Life of America is offering 10 Free Pro-Life Generation signs to everyone who signs up. Learn more at prolifewalkout.org where students will be connected to experienced team members standing by to support the student-lead efforts with sample promotional flyers, press releases to send to local media outlets, and legal advice about first amendment rights.

“Every day, Planned Parenthood violently ends the lives of 880 children. Every day, Planned Parenthood targets this generation in school and online to trap us in their predatory business cycle. And for many of us, every day, we are silent, but Enough is Enough,” said Hawkins. “It’s time that the #prolifegen stands up to the violence of abortion and those who perpetrate it. It’s time we clearly demand that our nation defunds Planned Parenthood and abolishes abortion now.”