In solidarity and concern on March 14^th

Seventeen minutes to “Ring Out for the Walk Out”

A compelling youth-led group from Florida and Connecticut has called for “students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies” to take part in a national school walkout (#Enough, #NationalSchoolWalkout, #neveragain) on March 14^th in remembrance of the victims, and in protest against the Parkland, FL shootings and gun violence more broadly.

The goal is for students and staff across the country to walk out of their classrooms for 17 minutes at 10:00 am that day “to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods.” We know that scores of students and teachers in Chapel Hill and Carrboro are already planning to take part.

At United Church of Chapel Hill we will be offering our support to this effort by ringing our church bell 17 times beginning at 10 am. We will ring our bell once each minute and between the ringing we will recite the names of the innocent who have been murdered in recent acts of mass gun violence. We will also be offering materials on how to take action locally and nationally.

Members and friends of United Church are welcome to gather around our bell at 10 AM that day to offer witness, prayer and a commitment to action. If you know of other churches in this area or across the country who might consider similar action, we encourage you to contact them.