CCMS Students Organize April 20 Walkout for Gun Violence Prevention

The National Student Walkout is a nationwide protest of our leaders’ failure to pass laws that protect us from gun violence. Mass shootings happen far too frequently in America, and we as a nation have become numb to seeing the news. After each one, the same cycle takes place: the media spend less than a week on the story, politicians offer their “thoughts and prayers,” and nothing ever changes. But after the horrific massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, young Americans are taking matters into their own hands.

April 20th, 2018 marks the 19th anniversary of the Columbine high school mass shooting, which left 13 people dead and 20 others injured. We are calling for a protest against Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods. We, the students of Culver City Middle School, have decided that this moment is too crucial and this issue too urgent to stand idly by. On April 20th we will start filtering out of Culver City Middle School (4601 Elenda St. Culver City, CA 90230) at 10:00 AM and walk over to vets park where we will march, chant, and voice our opinions. The walkout will end promptly after the 2:20 bell rings and school is released.

Motivated by the protests led by the survivors of the Parkland shooting and CCHS Seniors, CCMS 8th graders, Shanti Gupta, Kira Grimes, Ryanne Rich, Maya Herrera, and Shayna Graff lead the local movement to demand that Congress pass legislation to protect schools and local communities. “We are not safe in our schools. We are not safe in our cities or our homes. We need change. It is our elected officials’ jobs to keep us safe and pass gun control legislation that will address the issue of gun violence. We want Congress to take note because we are not backing down.” Gupta said. “Simply walking out will not change everything, but allowing students to get their voices heard and take action is motivation within itself that can lead the path for change,” continued Grimes. “It’s an act of symbolism and allows us to fight for a cause that directly affects us so change can commence and we no longer have to come to school fearing for our lives.”

This walkout is in honor of ALL people who have experienced acts of gun violence, including systemic forms of gun violence that disproportionately impact teens in Black and Brown communities. It is important that when we refer to gun violence, we do not overlook the impact of police brutality and militarized policing, or see police in schools as a solution. We also recognize that the United States has exported gun violence through imperialist foreign policy to destabilize other nations.

For more information regarding this event, please contact Kira Grimes, CCMS walkout coordinator, at:
[email protected]    

Or go to
@ccmswalkout on Instagram

Kira Grimes

The Actors' Gang

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