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Virginia Students Participate in National School Walkout

Hundreds of young people marched on the capitol in Richmond Friday to protest gun violence. It was part of a nationwide event on the anniversary of the Columbine shooting, meant to keep up energy and pressure on lawmakers to enact gun control.

 

 

A long line up of students from Richmond area high schools spoke passionately about the need for gun reform. They called on each other to vote and stay active, occasionally breaking into chants of “vote them out.”

Standing on the steps of the capitol building, Henrico High School junior Carlos Brown took up a microphone and rallied the crowd

“I wish I was in bio class right now,” Brown yelled. “Because that would mean I wouldn’t be out here shouting, screaming, crying for my life. I wish it would mean that thousands of young people could be dedicating themselves to prom preparations and not anti gun violence demonstrations.”

Arquell and Nisha were part of a group from Armstrong High School in Richmond that attended. They both say the time for change is now.

“Because it could be my family, it could be any of them my friends,” said Arquell.

“I just want to like, lead a brighter future for my little brothers. I have three of them and I’m hoping, swearing to God, that they get through school without having a school shooting and you know getting hurt in school. I hope they go to school and come back everyday,” added Nisha.”

One of their classmates, junior Angela, says gun violence has a direct impact on her life.

“Because of the neighborhood I live in. It’s a regular basis that we hear gunshots, that we see people getting killed, so I want my neighborhood to be better. I want my neighbors, and my friends and family to be in a safer environment,” she said.

A handful of elected officials attended and spoke, including Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.

 

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.