(SOUTHERN COLORADO) – Students from more than 14 schools across southern Colorado walked out of class on Monday morning as part of the “ENOUGH: National School Walkout” protesting gun violence and calling for action on gun control.
They joined nearly three thousand demonstrations nationwide lasting 17 minutes in honor of the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida a month ago today.
“We are not safe,” students from Centennial High School chanted.
“Protect kids not guns,” another student from Palmer High School said.
Students did not protest by themselves, “Those 17 could be 17 from here,” Lori Bennett, a parent of a 5th grade student in Woodland Park said.
At most schools, students were greeted by community members, parents, administrators and even some city council members.
“As a father, it really got to my heart what was going on here and thinking about losing a child,” Bob Schilling, a Pueblo City Council member said.
“That’s 17 heartbeats cut short,” students chanted from the front lawn of Centennial High School.
“They will never experience milestones that we so take for granted and how congress needs to listen to that and really take into account that students are greatly affected,” Alanna Jackson, an organizer of Centennial’s demonstration said.
Organizers hope that the protest across the area and the nation will bring attention to the cause and spur lawmakers into action.
