It’s 3/14, Pi Day. A day to celebrate a mathematical symbol to represent a constant. Pi is an irrational and transcendental number. Pi is infinite and will never end. So it’s perhaps not by coincidence that today is also National Student Walkout day. A historic day when high school students across the country have chosen to show support and solidarity with fellow students from Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, FL, the site of the latest school shooting that left 17 dead. This latest shooting has sparked debate again for gun control, something the republicans vehemently oppose. More importantly it has energized our youth, our young adults to step up and voice their anger and frustrations about the unwillingness of politicians to stand up to gun manufacturers, gun lobbyists, and most of all, to the National Rifle Association, the NRA.

I’ve been looking forward to this day for weeks now. I love a good protest. To see people come out and march for a common cause is one of the few things that gives me hope these days. As I waited for the number six bus I felt my excitement rise at the thought of todays events. I was excited about who had been the organizers of todays events: High School students. The next generation was saying we fear for our safety and if you won’t do anything about it we will. The bus finally arrived but didn’t stop because it was too full. The next one came by and was just as crowded. This driver did at least stop and said he could take two more people. When I stepped on and saw the riders were primarily high school students, I immediately understood why the first bus was so packed. The driver told me there were a number of extra busses today to accommodate those needing to get to East High School.

On the bus I talked with a student from Memorial High School. She estimated 70% of her school would be attending the march. I asked if she remembered the 2011 protests. Vaguely she said. I told her the students marched then as well. She smiled and went back to talking with her friends. As I looked out the window of the bus I saw a minivan packed with high schoolers. The driver was their dad I imagine. He was driving them to protest as if he were driving them to soccer practice.

I stepped off the bus and saw the throng of students that had amassed at East High School. Police were directing traffic. Onlookers were cheering in support of the students. And everyone seemed to have a cell phone recording the event. I wandered around snapping pictures and taking in the scene. The crowd continued to swell and soon it was time to go. At once they formed a front line and moved forward down East Washington street towards the Capital. An estimated 3000 students marched from East High School to the Wisconsin State Capital building to meet up with students from the University of Wisconsin Madison and others. Along the way they chanted, “HEY, HEY, HO, HO, THE NRA HAVE GOT TO GO!”and “THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!” and “ARE WE NEXT?” Their signs shown brightly in the midday sun, telling the world how they were feeling and that they would not be ignored and were not going away.

The street to the Capital was lined with onlookers and supporters, cheering the marchers on. Along the way people were handing out water as if the students were running a race; perhaps they were, a race for their lives. The marchers moved west as the eastbound traffic beeped their horns and pumped their fists in solidarity as they drove past. One car even slowed enough to high-five a student. The throng moved closer and closer to it’s destination, stopping only a few times to allow the back half of the procession to catch up. Arriving at the Capital they met with their fellow students and more supporters. Protestors blanketed the State Street side of the Capital; from the street, up the steps, right to the doors of the Capital building, spilling onto the lawn. It was a sight reminiscent of the 2011 protests.

Outside there were speakers ranging from students to state representatives and senators. Inside protestors filled the rotunda from bottom to top. They crowded in the small hallway leading to the Office of the Governor. They chanted loudly and proudly, hoping that he would be listening. Two students approached the police officers guarding the Office of the Governor. One asked, “What do you think of this?” He replied politely, “When I put this uniform on I no longer have an opinion on such matters.” The student wasn’t quite sure what to say. I believe she thought he would say he supported them and keep up the fight. Another asked if the Governor was coming out. The look the officer gave the student said it all. Governor Scott Walker was not in. He was conveniently in another city today.

The last speakers spoke. The crowd dispersed. Some moved in to see the delivery of a letter students wrote to their governor. The rest flittered away to enjoy the sunshine and the satisfaction of what they accomplished today. Maybe next year National Student Walkout Day will be celebrated along with Pi Day, two days highlighting the constant and infinite, seemingly irrational, and transcending the ordinary.