What I Witnessed at the Walkout

I. I witnessed hundreds of children—fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders—exit the building in complete silence at 10 in the morning.

2. I witnessed my own tall daughter, earlier enraged and drowning in tears, calmly lead off the speakers at the podium and loudly proclaim her right to safety and education.

3. I witnessed children, one two three at a time, realize that they had something to say and discover the courage to say it.

4. I witnessed a snowplow carefully placed at the entrance to the blacktop and city police stationed around the perimeter of the field.

5. I witnessed a child whose mother died of cancer demand safe schools.

6. I witnessed a child whose mother teaches math renounce all guns in schools, his face stretched in passion.

7. I witnessed the principal nervously checking his watch as the allotted twenty minutes ticked past and decide not to silence any child who wished to speak.

8. I witnessed scores of children recognize their need to speak, respectfully duck around their speaking classmates, and wait patiently in line for their turn.

9. I witnessed recording equipment for posterity but no microphones for the speakers.

10. I witnessed the crowd cheer every child who spoke, even the ones whose words I could not make out.

11. I witnessed a child in a T-shirt and no coat decide to watch everything without complaint, for an hour, in 30 degree cold.

12. I witnessed a child stop speaking, overcome by tears, and other children rush up to stand with her to help her finish.

13. I witnessed my own grief blossom into pride, love, and hope.

14. I witnessed a black girl and a white girl, hands clasped, declare themselves best friends and call for everyone’s safety.

15. I witnessed a few planned remarks and scores of impromptu speeches.

16. I witnessed the best thing I have ever seen in a school.

17. I witnessed more than one hundred children find their voices.