On March 14, students across the nation walked out of school to protest gun violence. Most students yelled and chanted so their voices were heard but, at my school, our protest was completely silent. Though completely silent we were heard. Our signs screamed for change and our faces mirrored the grief. Cars passing by honked in support, while neighbors and lower school students attentively watched in silence.
Originally our school administration had given permission to only 7th and 8th grade students to participate in the walkout, but the 5th and 6th grade students chose to participate anyway. Though the lower school did not ‘participate’ in the walkout, they stood at the fence and just watched. To my surprise, most of them knew what was happening. I realized we were protesting for them, so hopefully, they don’t need to worry about this anymore.
We were protesting for our country’s safety. We were protesting for the 17 victims.
I hope in the near future Congress realizes the power of a gun. But I especially hope they see the power of our voices. Never Again.
After the protest, a teacher was left in tears by the thought of losing any of us. People told us to save our protest signs in case we needed them again. The thought saddened us all.
For the last 10 minutes of class, we talked about everything. But the highlight of this protest is that my school knows now that we can handle issues like these and we can begin to form opinions of our own. Through the heat, tears, and silence, we were heard.
I will not rest, my school will not rest and our country will not rest until student’s biggest worries are their tests; not a gunman.
I hope in the near future Congress realizes the power of a gun. But I especially hope they see the power of our voices. Never Again.
Belén Pizarro is a seventh-grade student in Denver, CO.
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- Hear Our Voices, See Our Grief and Our Fear - March 22, 2018
