Students from nine high schools walked out of school at noon Wednesday, converging on the School District, City Hall and Gov. Corbett's Philadelphia office to protest inadequate funding of their schools.
As many as 200 students and supporters marched down Broad Street chanting and waving signs, escorted by police officers from Civil Affairs.
"All of us are here to protest for our rights to an equal education," said Calvin Wongus, a member of Youth United for Change and a junior at Edison High School. In front of Corbett's office, located in the Bellevue Hotel, Armani Reeves of Olney Charter said that the governor needs "to meet with the youth and make education our first priority."
Students left nine schools: Mastbaum, Kensington CAPA, Kensington Health Sciences, Kensington Business, Kensington Urban Education Academy, Edison, Frankford, Masterman, and Olney Charter.
District spokesman Fernando Gallard said that the students could be disciplined for leaving school, depending on their records.
Principals are expected to follow the Code of Student Conduct, he said.
Photos and video by Dorian Geiger