Students across the metro area -- from Alpharetta to Atlanta, Douglasville to Decatur, and Sandy Springs to Snellville -- plan to walk out of school March 14 to protest gun violence.

Walkouts are being planned at more than two dozen area middle schools, high schools, and universities as part of a national movement organized after last week's school shooting in Florida that killed 17.

Atlanta and Gwinnett school districts want students to work with their principals to develop a plan before holding a demonstration. DeKalb Superintendent Steve Green told parents in a letter the district will allow students “to peacefully protest” but cautioned that the district won’t tolerate disruptive or unsafe behavior: “It can be a teachable moment where students can demonstrate their First Amendment right to be heard, knowing there are natural consequences to civil disobedience.”

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Children who participated in the city of South Fulton's summer camp last year received backpacks containing school supplies. (Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis)

Credit: Courtesy of Councilwoman Helen Willis

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“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC