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San Francisco students win board backing for proclamation against gun violence; citywide demonstrations planned
Summary
The San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education adopted a student-drafted proclamation supporting student demonstrations and steps to prevent gun violence after student delegates and public commenters described planned walkouts and rallies. Commissioners voiced support and the proclamation passed by roll call.
Student delegates presented a proclamation urging schools and the district to act to prevent gun violence and the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education approved the text at its March 13 meeting.
Students Minh and Ong read Student Advisory Council Proclamation 183-13S01 into the record and outlined district-wide actions they planned in solidarity with Marjory Stoneman Douglas survivors, including school-based demonstrations and a City Hall rally. Student organizer Steven Gong told the board "Tomorrow at 11:30 a.m., we the students of San Francisco at City Hall, will arm ourselves, not with guns, but with speeches, flyers, and love." Student Advisory Council President Shoje described planned 17-minute silences and demonstrations across schools on March 14 and additional actions on March 24 and April 20.
Board members repeatedly praised the students’ leadership. Commissioner Sanchez said he was "continually impressed" and Commissioner Haney called the students "the moral voice and champions" on the issue. Several commissioners volunteered to attend student events where possible.
The board treated the item as a proclamation, received a motion and second, and approved it by roll-call vote (recorded as five ayes). The board's action does not, on its face, change district policy but signals formal support for student civic action and for district encouragement of student safety measures. The proclamation text endorses student demonstrations, encourages reporting safety concerns to staff, and supports use of programs such as the "Say Something" app for grades 6–12.
Next steps noted at the meeting included district staff collaboration with student leaders on logistics and support for demonstrations, and the superintendent encouraged voter participation as a means to effect legislative change. No binding operational changes to security or curriculum were adopted as part of this proclamation; the board characterized the vote as an expression of institutional support and a call to follow-up where appropriate.
The board adjourned the item and moved to the next business on the agenda.
