Massapequa students disciplined over gun protest

About 30 students at Massapequa High School were disciplined for taking part in the recent National Walkout Day to protest gun violence.
Some of the students spoke to News 12 Tuesday about the district’s decision.
Sophomore Sarah Benedict said she will never feel safe in school again after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting.
“I have had nightmares about this,” she said. "Honestly, I don't think we need to be fighting the suspension. We broke the rules. That's civil disobedience."
Not everyone agrees with the school's decision to suspend the students, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo. The governor insisted that the state education commissioner direct schools to "cease any disciplinary actions."
The New York State Education Department confirmed that the governor's directive was passed on to all Long Island school districts.
Suspended students at Massapequa High School said they were told it would not be placed on their record. The Massapequa School District would only tell News 12 that they do not comment on disciplinary actions taken against students.
Massapequa High School students also obtained a copy of an email from Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Gweneth Bishara, who has ties to Massapequa. She asked the school to reconsider the suspension.
“These students did not leave campus to skip classes, they left to make a difference,” the letter stated.
“Right now, we need to be together and we all have the same message this should never happen again,” said Benedict. “We shouldn't be afraid to come to school.”
Bishara said she's hoping to come to Long Island and meet with the school superintendent.
The students in Massapequa said they plan to march in Manhattan on Saturday as part of the March for Our Lives rally.