Columbus North High School students joined classmates locally and across the nation by walking out of school to protest gun violence and school shootings and remembering those who have died.
Two hundred North students went out the school’s front door at 10 a.m. Friday, gathering at the school’s flag pole, where five student leaders encouraged them to speak out against gun violence and to use their voting power to create change.
They were part of about 800 students at four different Columbus schools to participate Friday in planned activities.
Many of the students walked out in short sleeves despite temperatures in the mid-40s, and some wrapped large sweaters or blankets around their shoulders as they left the building and walked to the flag pole.
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“This is not a political issue, this is a school issue,” said Tristen Cook, a North freshman who spoke to his classmates, who stood on a concrete barricade with a microphone. “We shouldn’t be scared to go to school every day.”
Friday’s school walkout coincided with a national walkout that marked the 19th anniversary of the school shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, that resulted in 13 people, including one staff member, being killed. The two shooters killed themselves in the incident.
North students had a moment of silence for the 17 victims of the Feb. 14 school shooting in Parkland, Florida, followed by a reading of the student and staff members names who died in that school shooting.
Students hoped the walkout and the short program would unite students with different beliefs against violence, said Julia Iorio, a North junior.
Caitlin Davey, a North junior, told the crowd of students that it was important to speak up.
“We are the future, but the only way to have our voices heard is through votes,” Davey said.
North junior Suzanne Ward asked the students to consider all the students who are no longer able to walk the halls of a high school ever again.
Klaeton Southern, a senior, participated in the walkout, but did not join his fellow students at the flagpole for the ceremonies. He said he didn’t believe having more gun control or any type of gun ban would solve anything. Once he turns 18, he plans to obtain a conceal carry permit, he said.
“People have been hurting each other since the beginning of time,” Southern said. “Making something illegal won’t make it not be around.”
Ten members of the Bartholomew County chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America attended North’s event and gathered across the street from the students.
The group was asked to attend by student organizers, but was not allowed to be on school property, said Cate Hyatt, co-founder of the organization.
Hyatt commended students for their efforts to take a stand against gun violence.
“It’s another example that students are leading the way,” Hyatt said. “It’s very courageous for them to step out. They’ve come together with a single voice, which is the future I think.”
In addition to the North event, other Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. students also participated in walkouts or gatherings Friday morning.
About 200 students participated at Columbus East. Additionally, about 35 Columbus Signature Academy-New Tech High School students had a remembrance gathering near the school garden, principal Mike Reed said.
The gathering also included a moment of silence and support for families and victims impacted by gun violence with a poem being read by a CSA-New Tech student, Reed said.
At Central Middle School, about 300 students walked out, with 10 students addressing them while outside, principal Randy Gratz said. Thirteen seconds of silence were observed for the Columbine shooting victims, followed by another 17 seconds to remember the victims of the Parkland shooting, Gratz said.
“It says a lot about our students today,” Gratz said of the turnout for the walkout.
Northside Middle School had about 100 students gather in the school’s courtyard for a quiet remembrance of past and recent events that have occurred, assistant principal Evan Burton said.
“Students and school staff had a productive dialogue about school safety and being kind and caring to one another,” Burton said.
