Most JMU students were walking into their regularly scheduled classes on Wednesday morning ahead of 11:30 a.m., unless you’re in the College of Education.
Then you were standing in front of Memorial Hall, home of the College of Education, chanting, getting rained on, and standing up for your values.
Rebecca McCann organized a student walkout to “highlight the dangers of dismantling educational institutions and suppressing inclusive policies that ensure equitable learning environments” as written in the official press release of the event.
“Let me be clear,” McCann said in a speech to the crowd. “This demonstration today is a walkout for the future. The goal of today is to use our voices, our privilege and our collective power to advocate for the students who need it most. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, regardless of their unique challenges.”
Despite the rain, students, community members, JMU professors and government and school system officials gathered under umbrellas with handmade signs – the slogans on the signs did not wilt with the soggy cardboard in the rain.
While chanting “protect our teachers,” rallygoers held signs painted with phrases like:
- we [rainbow heart] all our kids
- students are our future
- don’t trust lies, organize
- USA needs DEI
- American can do better
- Dukes for DEI
- I prioritize equity
- You know you’re next right?
- Educate don’t discriminate
Sara Lewis, a program planner for the walkout, designed infographics, made buttons, and gave a speech at the event.
“Fighting the fight is worth every second of discomfort, even if I’m wet and cold right now. I want you to leave today feeling inspired and empowered to fight for equitable education of our students. Understand that your voice matters. Understand that many of our students don’t have the privilege of having a voice.” Lewis said in her speech to the crowd.
In a follow-up to the event, Lewis reflected on the walkout.
“The turnout was better than I imagined,” Lewis said. “We knew rain was an issue today, but we still held the event. Even though we got caught in a downpour, my expectations were blown through the roof. Roughly 150-200 people were able to show out and make their voices heard which is exactly what we wanted to happen,” Lewis said.
Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed was even present and gave a speech, asserting that “our children deserve better. Our children are not political. This is not a political issue. This is a civil rights issue.”
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