 Thousands of students, teachers, and staff joined a national movement today by walking out of classrooms across the country to show solidarity with the survivors and the 17 victims of the February 14th shooting in Parkland, Florida. Our Charelle Moore takes us to Bemidji High School where students took part in the movement by performing a silent protest. For a few of Bemidji High School, the day started early with a silent gathering at the flagpole. They were out here to stand in solidarity with a national movement that has swept the country. I've been teaching here since 1999 so I remember the 2005 shooting up in Red Lake. Of course we all remember Columbine and I think the energy this time was because of the kids in Florida standing up and saying enough. Seventeen was the big number up Bemidji High School today. It started at 7.45 where teacher students and staff stood outside for 17 minutes and then more than 60 students came out again at 10 o'clock in the morning to stand for 17 more minutes. The movement that happened later in the morning was peaceful. Students linked arms during the 17 minutes then silently walked back inside. Meanwhile in the students' home rooms, the BHS Student Council initiated a program to honor the victims in more than just words. There's small pictures and bios to really show that there were people and that they mattered to make them more personable and not just a life that was lost. Instead of having two sides of the argument like bash each other, we kind of just want to have like 17 acts of kindness from each individual person in the school help bring the school together as one. A 22-minute video was also shown during the home room that touched on various issues facing teens like texting and driving, suicide and bullying. A lot of the times I feel like our students maybe aren't heard. I saw the walk out as a vehicle for them to have their voices heard. I'm hoping that today students they leave happier than they came to this school, that they feel more welcome at the school, that they don't feel negative. Reporting in Bemidji, Shawmore, Lakeland News. Bemidji High School Student Council is currently planning a school safety forum with state lawmakers to discuss how to make classrooms safer. BHS principal Brian Stefanich says students who chose to participate in the 10 o'clock walkout will not face any disciplinary actions. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.