Ohio student suspended for staying in classroom during gun control walkout

A student at an Ohio high school said he was suspended for deciding not to participate in Wednesday's walkout protesting gun violence and for not joining other students not walking out in a study hall, according to reports.

Jacob Shoemaker, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School in Hilliard, Ohio, told the Columbus Dispatch he felt that by walking out of school Wednesday, he would be making a political statement about firearms, something he did not want to do.

Students who did not want to participate in the walkout were instructed to gather for a study hall, but Shoemaker reportedly felt that by joining fellow students who didn’t protest, he would also be taking a side.

“’The biggest problem, Dad, is that there shouldn’t be politics in the classroom … I may just sit in my seat. As far as I’m concerned, that’s the least intrusive of the choices I’ve been given,” Shoemaker said, according to his father, Scott Shoemaker.

When the walkout began Wednesday morning, Shoemaker decided to remain in his seat in class, but was given an out-of-school suspension.

“Student refused to follow instructions after being warned repeatedly by several administrators. Student not permitted on school property 24 hours," the slip from Hilliard City Schools said.

“He stayed in the classroom, where he was supposed to be in the first place,” Scott Shoemaker said. “It’s kind of ironic.”

The Hilliard school district told the Columbus Dispatch that no students were suspended for refusing to participate in the walkout.

“I can say that our students were given two options: one, attend the gathering or two, have a study hall,” Stacie Raterman, the district spokeswoman, said. “We are responsible for...
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