National Walkout Day: Hollywood Stars Praise Lone Student Protester at North Carolina School

National Walkout Day: Hollywood Stars Praise Lone Student Protester at North Carolina School

A teenager was hoping for six people to watch his video documenting his protest, but got noticed by hundreds of thousands of people instead.

A student who said he was the only one to walk out of a North Carolina high school is earning praise from some people in very high places.

"A Wrinkle in Time" director Ava DuVernay, Chelsea Clinton, Samantha Bee's TBS late-night series "Full Frontal," Alyssa Milano and "Orange Is the New Black" star Danielle Brooks are among those giving 16-year-old Justin Blackman props for walking out of class Wednesday in support of National Walkout Day, when students across the country left their schools for 17 minutes in honor of the 17 people killed during the mass shooting last month in Parkland, Florida.

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The teenager posted a selfie-style video on the social media platform, describing and showing the desolate scene outside his school.

"There's gonna be like six people watching this, hopefully. But it's National Walkout Day, I'm the only one from my school out here. Nobody here but me," he said in the video that has been viewed over 438,000 times and garnered over 33,600 likes so far. "I'm in Spanish class right now. He let me walk out, he didn't really care."

Wow I’m literally the only one #NationalSchoolWalkout pic.twitter.com/2F95qY2vTI

— Justin Blackman (@JustinIBlackman) March 14, 2018

It's not immediately clear what school he goes to, but according to his Twitter profile, he lives in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Goldsboro High, however, posted photos showing other students participating in the protest. There are at least two other schools in the same area, though.

GHS students participated in #WalkoutWednesday as we remember the devastating school shootings that have crippled our nation’s schools. @studentswalkout pic.twitter.com/lrjpGhJmKE

— Goldsboro High (@GHS_Cougars) March 14, 2018

Here's some of the praise he's getting from celebrities.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy ." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #NationalWalkoutDay https://t.co/sBtJ0II6YG

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) March 14, 2018

You’re not alone Justin.

— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) March 14, 2018

I’m right next to you. https://t.co/kxU8GhLfGG

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 14, 2018

Sometimes you have to stand alone, but keep standing!! @justinlblackman Proud of your courage.

— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) March 14, 2018

We're watching, Justin! 👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/wXRYfNBofW

— Full Frontal (@FullFrontalSamB) March 14, 2018

❤️

— Akilah Green (@akilahgreen) March 14, 2018

All of the attention has inspired Blackman to go from expecting six people to pay attention to him to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

Is it possible for me to get a dm from @TheEllenShow that would be cool

— Justin Blackman (@JustinIBlackman) March 14, 2018

Blackman may have been alone outside his school for 17 minutes Wednesday, but scenes from schools around the country show thousands of students standing with him in spirit. Even DeGeneres and her staff, who walked out of their studio in solidarity with the students.

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Even Viacom networks — including channels MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central — participated in the movement by going dark for 17 minutes this morning around 10 a.m., when the walkouts were planned.

See more scenes of students in action, plus what other Hollywood stars are supporting them, below.

We support you. #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/dVr4wrOMSG

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 14, 2018

I stand in solidarity with all the students today! The future is YOURS! No progress has ever been made in silence. #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/nfUQHtTzy5

— Viola Davis (@violadavis) March 14, 2018

Need faith in humanity restored? Watch some interviews with students at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, CA on #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/vf6I0ivdG9

— Daily Kos (@dailykos) March 14, 2018

THANK YOU STUDENTS FOR YOUR POWERFUL, INTELLIGENT AND HEARTFELT PROTESTS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE IN YOUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ALL OVER THE USA WHERE YOU ARE NOT SAFE! STAY STRONG! WE LOVE YOU! #NationalWalkoutDay ⚡️👊🏼💔❤️🇺🇸💔🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💔🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸💔🇺🇸

— Chelsea Peretti (@chelseaperetti) March 14, 2018

I am so proud, I stand with every student today. #NationalWalkoutDay ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) March 14, 2018

I stand with the students.
That’s all.#NationalWalkOutDay

— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) March 14, 2018

This is incredible to witness. I’m with the youth on this one. #NationalWalkoutDay

— Harry Shum Jr (@HarryShumJr) March 14, 2018

We are all by your side! https://t.co/TMvGknEO7l

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 14, 2018

I support the students and teachers on #NationalWalkoutDay. This is what change looks like.

— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) March 14, 2018

We’re with you, Erin. #NationalWalkoutDay https://t.co/4zMGotOiG5

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) March 14, 2018

I stand with all the students who are walking out of their classrooms this morning to demand action on gun violence. #EnoughIsEnough — it's time to address this epidemic. #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/VFCKQMfD88

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) March 14, 2018

PEACE. @kiro7chopper above BF Day Elementary School in Seattle. Students walk out for #nationalwalkoutday pic.twitter.com/ZMxOkjBBxg

— Rachel Calderon (@rachelkiro7) March 14, 2018

Huge support goes out to all the kids today for #nationalwalkoutday enough is enough ✊

— Christina Milian (@ChristinaMilian) March 14, 2018

As an American father I am so proud of & grateful for every single one of the #WalkOutWednesday heroes who are doing what our spineless elected adults have failed to do. Protect my children. Me & my friends have your backs every step of the way. #EnoughIsEnoughNRA #NeverAgain

— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) March 14, 2018

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