16. Opinion (Local Issue)

Open Letter from Organizers of Central High Walkout

(Image is Link to Original Story)

    "On Thursday, hundreds of students at Little Rock Central High School participated in a walkout motivated by a number of the moment’s political indignities across the state and nation. Among the reasons for their protest were the recent reelection of Donald Trump, the Arkansas LEARNS Act and its threats to public education, and restrictions on abortion access. The following is an open letter from the organizers of the demonstration, as well as reflections from two individual students who took part."

- Arkansas Times

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    "There were a lot of topics and people represented at our protest. It was about the Arkansas LEARNS Act, but also much more. There was a big crowd of us that day, some even carrying inspiring posters — it is quite an experience to be a student at a school that lets us have these demonstrations.

    One thing that we stood up for is women’s rights! That’s what people seemed to speak loudest about and support the most in the crowd. How can we not be able to choose if we want to have children or not!? It’s not fair to us at all to be the first generation of high school students not to have these rights — I mean children are having children these days! We all know that a child cannot raise another child. To make matters worse, many of these pregnancies are coming from sexual abuse, and that’s something far too many women in the world suffer from and know firsthand. Which is sad because they didn’t choose that path in life, but they have to live with it.

    Our protest was also about how the state is literally handing over public school money to send kids to private schools! Our parents work hard every year for us to go to public schools. Guess what they get, though? They don’t get a dime from anyone!

    It was very inspiring to see all my classmates stand out there and stand up for what was right! Many didn’t cooperate well in the crowd, but most of us were listening as our classmates took a stand for what was right — even though most of us aren’t very into politics, or maybe we are now! I am also grateful to actually go to a school where I get a chance to experience something so inspiring!"

- Sophomore Carmillia Morrison