While hundreds of protesters were forced to stay outside, 15 third-graders were admitted into the Capitol on Wednesday to complete their mission: Find out what democracy looks like.
“We’re not here to protest. We’re here to observe what other people are doing,” explained Suzanne Downey, a third-grader at Madison’s Lincoln Elementary who was part of the class field trip.
Accompanied by their teachers and chaperones, the students explored the Capitol’s ground floor, mingled with the remaining die-hard protesters, talked to police and “collected data” on what they saw and heard.
“We thought it would be best for them to see for themselves what was going on,” said Korinna McGowan, a student teacher at Lincoln. “We want to provide them with a real-life example and a real-life experience.”