Arcata High Students Walk Out to Stand with Sexual Assault Survivors

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Hundreds of Arcata High School students walked out of class Wednesday to show support and stand in solidarity with victims of sexual assault, marking the third straight day of walkouts by students in Humboldt County following allegations of a sexual assault by a Fortuna High School student in August. - MARK MCKENNA
  • Mark McKenna
  • Hundreds of Arcata High School students walked out of class Wednesday to show support and stand in solidarity with victims of sexual assault, marking the third straight day of walkouts by students in Humboldt County following allegations of a sexual assault by a Fortuna High School student in August.

For the third consecutive day, students walked off a high school campus in Humboldt County on Wednesday to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual assault and protest what they feel are inadequate administrative and societal responses.

Hundreds of Arcata High School students descended on the Arcata Plaza yesterday morning, many clad in white or holding signs emblazoned with slogans like "no means no." They then listened as student after student came forward to share stories of sexual assault and sexualized trauma. The walkout followed similar ones sat Eureka, Fortuna and McKinleyville high schools Monday and at South Fork High School and Academy of the Redwoods on Tuesday.

The week of walkouts follows Southern Humboldt reporter Kym Kemp's report Sunday of a Fortuna High School student's allegation she was sexually assaulted by a fellow student in August during a party at Centerville Beach — an allegation currently under investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office — and the student's feeling that the school had failed to take appropriate action after the alleged assault was reported.

Local photographer Mark McKenna was on scene yesterday to document the Arcata High School walkout, which included hundreds of students and spanned several hours. See his photos below.

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