Florida students plan walkout, local rally in response to state public education changes

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Throughout Florida at noon on Friday, high school and college students plan to walk out of class in protest of what they say is the government’s censorship and erasure of history, culture and identities.

The protest is called Walkout 2 Learn and was organized by state lawmakers and groups like Equity Florida and Equity Through Education Alliance who oppose Florida’s recent changes to public education. During the walkout, these groups will brief students on a “government-censored” history lesson, encourage enrollment in a virtual African American history course and give them the opportunity to sign Active Pledge, which prompts those who sign it to register to vote.

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There are also scheduled off-campus rallies in the cities of Miami, Sarasota, Orlando, Gainesville, Tallahassee and Jacksonville, where attending students will hear from high-profile speakers and performers. Students will have the opportunity to register to vote, sign the Active Pledge and enroll in an African American history course here as well.

Jacksonville’s rally will take place Friday night at A. Philip Randolph Park, located at 1096 A. Randolph Blvd. at 6 p.m.

Action News Jax has reached out to Duval County Public Schools to hear if any principals are allowing students to protest on campus, since district policy now allows students to protest without consequences if they get permission from the school. Right now, we know Douglas Anderson students have permission to protest at 12:15 p.m. We are waiting to hear back about others.

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Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold.

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