Question 1

Is this only for Brooklyn Tech students?

Accepted Answer

Teachers who do not have a third period class can join us outside -- check with your supervisor before doing so.
 
Anyone else can join us at Borough Hall soon after the protest at Tech. For security reasons, the NYPD may be hesitant about allowing strangers close to so many students at Tech.
 
However, media organizations WILL be permitted there! Please come and record the protest! It greatly helps to spread the message.

Question 2

What's this?

Accepted Answer

Many students told us that they wanted a longer walkout, so we're also going to walk to Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon St.) after the 17 minutes of protesting outside the school.

Question 3

Why are you doing this?

Accepted Answer

Every time there's a school shooting, politicians do absolutely nothing. They continue to accept thousands of dollars from the NRA so no comprehensive gun reform is passed.
 
Enough is enough. As the largest brick-and-mortar high school in the USA by student population, we could be next.
 
We protest to demand gun reform now. Stronger background checks, thorough mental examinations and gun registries. See the "demands" section below for details on this.
 
(Source for population claim: https://www.niche.com/k12/search/largest-public-high-schools/)

Question 4

Hold up... this page said City Hall before. I'm confused.

Accepted Answer

Yes, we originally wanted to go to City Hall but changed the location to Brooklyn Borough Hall. Several reasons:
 
1) It's 40 minutes less walking and still a big plaza.
2) Three high schools are already protesting there, have a permit and will set up podiums and the like. No other school, to the best of our knowledge, is going to City Hall on March 14.* It's better to join other schools than to march alone.
3) The Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams, will be in Prospect Park at 2 PM with a rally against gun violence. Hopefully he'll be his own office earlier in the day to give a speech for us. He's easier to book than Mayor de Blasio.
 
*There was a rumor that Stuyvesant is going to City Hall. As of 3/5/18, this is false. Stuyvesant is staying near Stuyvesant on March 14.

Question 5

What are your goals/demands?

Accepted Answer

We make four specific demands:
 
1) Congress should pass S. 2009, the Background Check Expansion Act, which you can read here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2009 (sorry you'll have to copy and paste the link.)
 
Basically, this bill would make it illegal for anyone to transfer possession of a firearm without first conducting background checks already prescribed by law, excluding certain intra-family transfers and law enforcement use.
 
We also demand that Congress remove the gun show loophole (although this may or may not be covered by S. 2009). Currently, people can go to gun shows organized by private gun dealerships and purchase firearms without going through a background check. We need to ensure that every gun buyer is properly vetted and screened to keep Americans safe.
 
2) Congress should amend the above bill to include background mental health checks and require all people acquiring guns to undergo a thorough analysis by a doctor.
 
3) Congress should ban bump stocks! This is what allowed the Las Vegas killer to murder 59 people and injure hundreds more. The Second Amendment doesn't allow people to own tanks or dynamite. There's no reason why any American needs access to this extremely dangerous technology for self-defense.
 
4) Congress should renew the federal assault weapons ban. Ten pages' worth of assault weapons were banned from 1994 to 2004, then the ban expired and was never renewed. Specifically, let's renew Title XI Section A of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, found here: http://legisworks.org/GPO/STATUTE-108-Pg1796.pdf
 
Most of this law is not about gun control, so no need to read the whole thing.
The ban we want renewed is on pages 201-205, with the list of banned weapons on 205-215.

Question 6

Just 17 minutes? What kind of a protest is that?

Accepted Answer

On March 14, we're walking out for one minute for each Parkland victim. The goal is to give Congress a reasonable chance to legislate. The duration is due to guidance from the Action Network/Women's March website as well as to show students that are scared to participate that there's no reason not to, and to encourage them to come on April 20 for the "real deal."
 
You can also walk to Borough Hall right after the school protest on March 14 and continue protesting there for the rest of the day. See the "Borough Hall" tab above for details.
 
If by Friday, April 20, no gun reform is passed, we plan to walk out at 10 AM and not return until the following Monday. However, this approach gives Congress five weeks, so we don't hear the 'you didn't give us a chance' excuse.

Question 7

Can students be punished for protesting?

Accepted Answer

UPDATE 3/11/18: NO ONE WILL BE PUNISHED, PERIOD. Official DOE guidance from 3/8/18 reflects this. If you're staying for Borough Hall and your teachers ask, you should bring an absence note. Once you bring that, teachers *cannot* punish you.
 
Old info: ---------------
Nope! As of February 26, we have confirmed that the school administration will NOT discipline any student for protesting with us.
 
With regard to teachers marking people late or absent, first of all, the vast majority of NYC teachers are liberal and support the cause. Secondly, we expect the administration to strongly discourage teachers from punishing students. Educational institutions are supposed to promote, not stifle, activism, as it is an essential part of civic engagement.
 
We promise to help you every step of the way! :)

Question 8

OMG you people keep changing the time and location!

Accepted Answer

Yeah, sorry about that. As of Feb. 26, the time is 10 AM and the location is right outside the school -- we'll surround the school and have a sit/lie-in.

Question 9

When are we returning to school?

Accepted Answer

After about 17 minutes outside, you may choose to return to school or you may go to Borough Hall to protest some more! See the "Borough Hall" tab above for details.
 
We're not sure when the Borough Hall protest will end -- we'll let you know closer to the day of the protest.

Question 10

Why not Barclays?

Accepted Answer

Because Barclays is private property. We cannot obstruct entrances to private property. Some students said let's march around Barclays but it is better to march in an open location rather than some sidewalks.

Question 11

Are we going back to school after protesting at Borough Hall?

Accepted Answer

Maybe -- depends on time. Mr. Newman (principal) assured us that we will be let back in at any time that we finish protesting.

Question 12

10 AM? In the middle of class?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The administrators approve and teachers will know well in advance.

Question 13

What about punishments for skipping the whole day/almost the whole day like this?

Accepted Answer

UPDATE 3/11/18: NO ONE WILL BE PUNISHED, PERIOD. Official DOE guidance from 3/8/18 reflects this. If you're staying for Borough Hall and your teachers ask, you should bring an absence note. Once you bring that, teachers *cannot* punish you.
 
Old info: ---------------------
When you attend third period, you will be marked present. Your attendance at classes for other periods is subject to individual teachers. Here are a few reasons why you most likely will not be punished.
 
1) Mr. Newman, the principal, will notify all teachers of this protest during the faculty meeting on Monday, March 5.
2) The vast majority of our teachers are liberal and support the cause. No doubt about it.
3) Several of my teachers personally told me to extend the protest to make a bigger impact. Are they really scheming to punish us? Remember, school shooters kill TEACHERS too. It's not in their best interests to discourage us from protesting for THEIR safety.

Question 14

Did you contact any school administrators to get permission?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and they have agreed not to interfere with the protest in any way and not to punish any student who protests for protesting (the latter of which would be illegal anyway -- see the "repercussions" tab for details).

Question 15

Can students be arrested for protesting?

Accepted Answer

No, as long as the protest remains peaceful. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)'s website is pretty clear on this: https://www.aclu.org/issues/free-speech/rights-protesters

Question 16

Will my parents be called?

Accepted Answer

Probably not. Parents are only called if students are absent, and third period attendance will not reflect an absence.
 
Also, who cares? Your parents probably support the cause and missing a day of school to protest for your own safety is an act of civic engagement that teaches much, much more than what you will learn that day.

Question 17

What happened to Barclays? I thought we were going there!

Accepted Answer

Turns out Barclays is private property so they don't have to let us protest there. Also, walking too far is a safety issue and the school can't be held responsible.
 
We're going to Borough Hall instead -- see that tab above for details.

Question 18

Specific questions about leaving class/returning to school

Accepted Answer

We're still working out the details. This is a work in progress -- we will write more details here soon. In the meantime, join our Facebook group by clicking the logo all the way at the bottom right of the page.
 
Thanks for your patience.

Question 19

Where and when are we meeting?

Accepted Answer

Right outside the northwest section of the school at Fort Greene and Dekalb, immediately after the 17 minute protest.

Question 20

What if the security guards won't let us leave/won't let us return?

Accepted Answer

Update Feb. 26: They will! The administration fully supports this protest and thus far has been fully cooperative and encouraging.
 
Update March 5: They will let us return at any time during the school day, so you can walk back and go to class after protesting at Borough Hall.
 
Remember, we're not protesting Tech, so there's no reason for the school to stop us.

Question 21

I want to help organize! Whom do I contact?

Accepted Answer

Thank you so much! We strongly encourage you to join the planning and organization committee. Please go to the "contact" page and send us an email.
 
Examples of things you can help with: Managing social media, contacting news organizations, writing newsletters, making posters, taking pictures of the event, logistics... the list is endless. If you have any ideas or unique talents, feel free to share.

Question 22

What about security/the police/truancy?

Accepted Answer

UPDATE 3/11/18: In accordance with the official DOE guidance dated 3/8/18, no one will be punished, detained or prohibited from protesting. We also have all the necessary permits so this will not be a problem.

Question 23

I have more questions!

Accepted Answer

You can contact us using the "contact" button above. *Please read the entire FAQ before asking a question!*

Question 24

I have more questions!

Accepted Answer

Great, happy to see people interested. Please go to the "contact" page and send us an email. We respond within 24 hours.

Question 25

Do I have to go to Borough Hall?/It's far away!

Accepted Answer

No, but then again, you don't have to protest in the first place.
 
If you want your voice to be heard by more people, and if you want to be more impactful, we strongly recommend that you go to Borough Hall too.
 
It's only a 20 minute walk!

Question 26

I have more questions!

Accepted Answer

Great, happy to see people interested. Please go to the "contact" page and send us an email. We respond within 24 hours.

Question 27

But my guns! My freedom! I don't want the Second Amendment repealed!

Accepted Answer

There's obviously a difference between responsible gun ownership and giving guns away carelessly. The NRA's job and the job of the gun lobby is to sell guns -- that's what they make money off of. They don't want background checks because that means they will have to turn some customers down and effectively lose money.
 
On the other hand, if firearms dealers can sell to anyone, inevitably irresponsible, criminal, mentally ill people, terrorists, or other people who should not have guns can obtain them, resulting in school and other shootings. Another problem is that people like the Las Vegas shooter can buy accessories that turn already powerful weapons into killing machines. That has nothing to do with the Second Amendment.
 
The point is, you do not need an assault rifle for self-defense. Our goal is to ensure that people are strictly vetted before buying weapons so they do not fall into the wrong hands. It is technically true that mass shootings are the result of people firing weapons, not weapons firing themselves, but it only makes sense to regulate both the people who have weapons and the weapons themselves to reduce the chance of such tragedies happening. 
 
Here, you can find out how much each senator and representative in Congress takes from the NRA: https://www.politico.com/interactives/2017/gun-lobbying-spending-in-america-congress/

Question 28

What about attendance? That's third period!

Accepted Answer

The administration ensured us that attendance will be taken before 10 AM and as such this is not an issue.

Frequently asked questions

Is this only for Brooklyn Tech students?

What's this?

Why are you doing this?

Hold up... this page said City Hall before. I'm confused.

What are your goals/demands?

Just 17 minutes? What kind of a protest is that?

Can students be punished for protesting?

OMG you people keep changing the time and location!

When are we returning to school?

Why not Barclays?

Are we going back to school after protesting at Borough Hall?

10 AM? In the middle of class?

What about punishments for skipping the whole day/almost the whole day like this?

Did you contact any school administrators to get permission?

Can students be arrested for protesting?

Will my parents be called?

What happened to Barclays? I thought we were going there!

Specific questions about leaving class/returning to school

Where and when are we meeting?

What if the security guards won't let us leave/won't let us return?

I want to help organize! Whom do I contact?

What about security/the police/truancy?

I have more questions!

I have more questions!

Do I have to go to Borough Hall?/It's far away!

I have more questions!

But my guns! My freedom! I don't want the Second Amendment repealed!

What about attendance? That's third period!