Around noon on April 5,2023, students at Arvada West High School left their classes, carried neon signs out towards the soccer field, and took a stance by raising their voices for the objection of gun violence in schools. The walkout was national, organized by an organization with the name of ‘Students Demand Action.’ Made up of young activists, Students Demand Action is, “Committed to ending gun violence in our communities.”as according to their website.  The Columbine High School massacre in 1999 marked a notable place in history for growing gun violence in the 21st century. During the pandemic, the world saw a particular drop in gun violence in schools due to most students learning online. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, and students returned to in person learning full time, gun violence has seen record highs in the United States. The Washington Post reports, “ ….with classes in session again, 42 K-12 schools experienced school shootings in 2021, and 46 endured one the next year — mirroring the nation’s broader rise in gun violence as it emerged from the pandemic.”

With discussions from recent mass school shootings at The Covenant school in Nashville Tennessee, or Denver’s East High School shooting, concerns have been sparked amongst students nationwide; leading towards the national walk out.

After arriving, many students pulled out their notebooks and wrote small but easy to see messages on their pages. 

The message on the poster, “I should be worried about SAT’s not my life,” mirrors the precautions one freshman Sarah Smith takes in preparation for her education, as she describes, “…I have a bulletproof thing in a bag, and I keep fake blood just in case. You have to prepare for these things. This is not something kids should be doing. We should be worried about our SATS, not if we are going to die.”

Samuel Bierbrauer, sophomore, was a leader in the Protest held Wednesday afternoon. He says, “Would you rather have us students dead or would you rather keep your guns?” as he marches from corner to corner, holding his sign above his head. 

Junior Izzy Sprenger, accompanied by Bierbrauer, express their view on the necessity of gun control in school environments. Throughout the day, the two marched across the streets and strived to amplify the spirit of their demanded message.

Thaddeus “Alden” Berryhill, sophomore, while not pictured in this article, stated some powerful words, passionately, at one of the street corners. “I am out here today, using my voice and using my voice well to spread awareness to make sure that everyone that drives past this intersection knows that I will not remain apathetic, knows that I will not remain silent while my fellow students are being killed in classrooms, and then their deaths are blamed on marginalized communities.” His words are reflected in many other students, and he goes on to express his frustration in law-makers, and in his opinion, their lack of action. “The leaders in this country have decided that it is politically acceptable to see the slaughters in our schools…That is disgusting, and that needs to stop…That is why I am out here today. That is why this matters more than class.”

One student, Jereimyah Berry, freshman, hoisted on the back of one of his classmates, held his sign proud, and encouraged others to do the same. 

Freshman Jadeyn Goins agrees with the message on the sign displayed above, as he stresses, “I just feel like this isn’t an issue that is debatable.  All of these politicians, over forty-five, don’t know what we are going through, and they don’t know the daily struggle of  thinking that when you say goodbye to mom and dad, that it might be the last time you do it.”

A constant chant held during the protest was “Dead kids can’t read,” which is represented here by Madison Best, sophomore. 

Makenna Nix, junior, held her sign almost the entire protest, with constant reminders to her classmates to keep safe and follow the law. “We don’t deserve to go to school prepared for the possibility that we could die. There have been way too many mass shootings in schools, and it’s absolutely ridiculous. Nothing is being done about it.”

Many students marched from corner to corner, arm in arm, signs raised, waving them at cars, often chanting.

Speaking of cars, many cars that passed honked in support of the students, while others made rude hand gestures and threw objects like trash and soda bottles. When support was given, students cheered for the cars, because they helped raise the message of the walk out.

While people may have varying opinions on the protest that took place at A-West, what remains true and undeniable is that these students demonstrated their passion and are committed to their beliefs. This is what is valuable and truly important about not just this protest, but any protest or display of civil disobedience. This nation originated in the streets and corners of protesting, and it is clear that the young people of today continue to advocate their beliefs and display their hopes for a different future.