17 minutes. That's how long more than 100 Rhinelander high school and 100 more James Williams Middle School students were outside in the cold demanding action to end gun violence in the nation's schools.
The time was peaceful, though local law enforcement kept a distant presence.
It's part of a nationwide protest held Wednesday, 30 days after 17 students were slain by a gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The walkouts specifically were timed to 17 minutes to honor the slain students.
In front of the high school, Emma Hjelle, a junior, was an organizer and was overcome with the turnout....
"....I'm overwhelmed. I didn't think this many people would come out...(Krall) 'what put all this together?'...(Hjella) well, a friend brought it up to me and I heard of a lot of interest and I figured that, I like to speak out, and I'm also the student council president so it's my job to be a voice for the student body. When I heard of a lot of interest, I just thought it was important and that a lot of people cared. But then I got a lot of hate through the past week so I was sort of skeptical about whether or not people would show up. I printed out flyers with the names and ages of the victims but I only printed 45 because I honestly didn't think I would be giving all of them out, but obviously that was a mistake...."
Nearby, mothers and supporters were holding vigil, including Kathy Noel....
"...I think these kids are going to turn this around and I'm so pleased to be here to support them...."
After 17 minutes, the students returned to class without incident.
Noel says Northwoods Progressives will be marching in Minocqua on March 24 in support of "March For Our Lives", another anti-gun-violence rally planned across the U.S., sponsored by 'Every Town For Gun Safety'. More than 500,000 people are expected to attend the rally in Washington, D.C.