MINNEAPOLIS — A student walkout, march and rally took place in Minneapolis on Tuesday afternoon to protest against gun violence.
The walkout, organized by the nonprofit Minnesota Teen Activists, encouraged students across the state to walk out of their classes at 12:30 p.m. to pay homage to the victims of the Uvalde school shooting.
Hundreds of students from across the metro met at Gold Medal Park for a press conference at 1:15 p.m. and then marched to U.S. Bank Stadium for the rally. Students discussed wanting to see tighter gun restrictions and more mental health resources.
"Here today you see young people walking out of class not to defy their teachers but to stand up for their own rights. To say, 'Our lives matter.' We have hopes and dreams. We deserve to live," said Jerome Treadwell, executive director for MN Teen Activists.
According to a press release from Minnesota Teen Activists, their demands for local, state and federal leaders include:
- A statewide advisory committee to address student safety in schools and develop steps to reduce gun violence in schools
- Amending Minnesota Statute Section 121A.035 and standardized active shooter drills across the state and reduce school lockdown drill requirements from 5 to 2
- Accountability from public officials "and their refusal to act with urgency with the mass shootings" in Buffalo and Uvalde
- Developing and implementing mental health assessments for students
- Elected leaders ban AR-15 platform rifles
"As... a native Texan, that's my home state and I am just disgusted, disappointed and my heart is broken because those are children. Not only that but the Buffalo shooting. This needs to really stop," said Carolina Molina, an Augsburg University student.
Minneapolis Public Schools is not affiliated with and does not sanction this event, but said in information sent to MPS families that the district does echo calls from students and others for an end to gun violence.
MPS reminded students of the district's walkout policy, which states that students who leave school property during the day will not be allowed to return to class for the remainder of the day, and won't be allowed to participate in after school activities.
In the statement to families, the district wrote:
"We acknowledge that our students and community have been deeply affected by the events in Uvalde, Texas, as well as the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student(s) regarding this information and reach out to your school if you have any questions. Also reach out to school-based staff including counselors for additional support."
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