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ATLANTA – The Atlanta Public Schools (APS) and Atlanta Board of Education Student Advisory Council will lead a “Stand With Me” rally on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m., to make a public stance against gun violence amongst peers and provide a call to action to city leaders and the Atlanta community.
The rally will be held on the City Hall steps , 68 Mitchell St., Atlanta.
APS Superintendent Lisa Herring, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Board of Education members, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and other dignitaries will attend the rally.
The rally will take place just before the last day of school, a date chosen by the Student Advisory Council to make a special plea to their peers to remain safe and make wise choices over the winter holiday break.
Student Advisory Council Chairwoman Eleanor Jones shared why the rally is important:
“Too often we are experiencing the youth of Atlanta become victims of gun violence either by death or to the prison system. Our youth, especially young black men, need to be protected, supported, and heard. Tragedy has struck our community once again while out for a holiday break and it is movements like these that are designed to help us heal, but also create solutions that fix the problem.”
The rally also iwill include a citywide moment of silence to honor gun violence victims.
The Student Advisory Council is an Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta Board of Education student governing body that lobbies and advocates on behalf of APS students as well as provides impactful feedback to district leaders as they make decisions.
The council consists of 25 student delegates representing 14 high schools across the District ranging from grades 9-12. The Student Advisory Council has been involved in various events and initiatives such as Equity Throughout APS, Student Calendar, Student Discipline, and the Mayor’s Transition Team for Education & Youth, and a visit to the State Capital where delegates spoke with representatives and provided them with feedback around issues that impact them.