Chants against gun violence echoed around Edina High School on Friday as students participated in a national walkout sparked by the Annunciation shooting on Aug. 27.
The walkout was coordinated by Students Demand Action, an advocacy organization dedicated to eliminating gun violence. Edina students were informed about the event through social media.
At 12:00 p.m., over 100 high schoolers and middle schoolers walked several laps around EHS and Valley View Middle School waving homemade signs denouncing gun violence and the U.S. government’s inaction.
Participation in the walkout was bolstered by proximity of the Annunciation shooting. Several students in Edina Public Schools live close to Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, have friends or family in the area that could have been affected, or even knew one of the victims personally.
Sixth grader Eleanor Hanson used to attend Annunciation and said she wondered what may have happened to her if she continued studying there. Upon hearing about the Edina walkout at soccer practice, she “immediately wanted to do it.”
When senior Siman Mohamed heard about the tragedy, she said she thought of her siblings, who attend schools in Minneapolis.
“I know somebody that was hurt in the incident at [Annunciation], and I’m not okay with it,” seventh grader Caroline Tridgell, who lives just blocks from Annunciation, said.
Tridgell and three of her friends set aside time in advisory to make signs for the walkout.
In addition to organizing the walkout, Students Demand Action encouraged protestors to chant call-to-actions. At Edina, students shouted “No more silence, end gun violence,” and sophomore Layla Scoll led the call-and-response: “Protect the kids!” “Not guns!”
“Modern day, guns have more rights than kids,” junior Wren Alexander said, holding a sign depicting President Donald Trump spitting a bullet.
She said her family was struck with fear after the shooting, especially since they live a mile from where it happened. Next to Alexander, seventh grader Kenzie Guaman’s sign said “background checks matter.”
“The government doesn’t do anything about it. They are bystanders, [and] therefore semi-at fault for it,” Alexander said.
Students also called for local officials to take steps toward implementing restrictions on gun use. According to Statista, the state of Minnesota ranks near the middle in the number of school shootings. Hanson said she believed that Minnesota government could do better.
“You shouldn’t have to ask for your safety,” Tridgell said.
