The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre has sparked a wave of vigils and protests in America (Picture: Getty)

Students across America are planning to walk out of classes and protest against the lack of anti-gun laws being passed in Washington.

A walkout has been organised for April 20, which is the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre which killed 13 children, and many teachers are also expected to join in.

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Students in Florida began boycotting school on Friday in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre which killed 17 students and stuff and injured 15 others.

Over 30 students from South Broward High School took to the streets with placards and signs which read ‘NRA (National Rifle Association) is a terrorist organisation’, ‘protect me, not your machines of violence’ and chanted anti-gun slogans.




Before the end of the day several protests had been organised, but the National School Walkout has got the most traction with almost 10,000 people signing a petition and 15,000 following @schoolwalkoutUS on Twitter.

On Friday, April 20th we want students to attend school and then promptly WALK-OUT at 10:00 am. Sit outside your schools and peacefully protest. Make some noise. Voice your thoughts. "We are students, we are victims, we are change." — National School Walkout (@schoolwalkoutUS) February 17, 2018

There have been 18 school shootings in America this year alone and the organisers want the protesting youngsters to wear orange as well to send a signal for to President Donald Trump, Congress and the Senate to curb the sale of guns.

The petition on Change.org states the aims of the protest, it reads: ‘We are the students, we are the victims, we are the change, fight gun violence now.

‘High School students across the U.S.A, the way to fight back is here. There has been too much complacency on the part of politicians when it comes to gun violence.

‘The time to act is now. Public school shootings affect communities and especially teenagers.’

i just drove by south broward highschool & it brought me to tears because i have hope that OUR generation IS and WILL make a change. we can’t continue to sit here and dissimulate through this vicious recurring cycle as if nothing is happening. our youth must intervene accordingly pic.twitter.com/myfHFPvmmX — dani (@ellisondaniella) February 16, 2018

It added: ‘The majority of teenagers have no right to vote, leaving our voice unheard.

‘The government does not hear or care how these tragedies affect our lives.’

Parents have promised to remove younger children as well, one tweeted support: ‘I am participating in this one with my first grader! I will be removing her from school that day at 10am and maybe we’ll have a picnic outside with a sign that says, “We should be safe at school. Vote them out”.

‘I encourage any Mum or teacher or young person to do the same.’

Alina, 17, said her mom couldn’t attend the protest so made her carry this sign in her place. pic.twitter.com/DX3p9TpNJj — Sebastian Murdock (@SebastianMurdoc) February 16, 2018

There is also a smaller protest taking place in Florida schools on March 14, organised by the Women’s March Youth group, which will see students walkout for 17 minutes, to honor the 17 victims in the Parkland massacre.

The 19-year-old Parkland school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz appeared in court on Thursday, with a judge ordering that the 19-year-old be held without bond on 17 counts of murder.

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