Students walk out to protest inaction on school shootings

Students at schools across the country walked out of class on Thursday to protest inaction to stop school shootings.

“It’s devastating. It’s heart-wrenching,” said Ashley Castillo, who led the walkout at Hollywood High School, according to the Los Angeles Times. “We’re stuck with the responsibility of planning these events and having to advocate for ourselves … thoughts and prayers are not getting us anywhere after years and years.”

NBC San Diego also reported on students walking out. “We just wanted to show that we do have a voice and we hope legislators will listen,” said Sarah Strasberg, an 11th grader at Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego.

Many of the protests were organized by the group Students Demand Action, which was started after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018.