Students at several Massachusetts schools walk out to protest gun violence

MELROSE - Students walked out by the hundreds at Melrose high and middle schools right at noontime, with a lesson of their own about the need to curb gun violence. "We as a nation have been told, and we've been taught, that we're a good example for other countries, right now we're not being an example," said junior Mila Amiral. 

Their signs read "No More Silence, End Gun Violence", and today they made their voices heard with similar walkouts around the state and the country. "It's all about student voice and we encourage it in everything we do," said Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur. 

The students say they generally feel safe within their own community, but what happened in Nashville last week, a shooting that left three adults and three children dead at a Christian school, has left them feeling vulnerable. 

"You don't ever think it's possible until it happens. They weren't expecting that, so you never know when that's going to happen," said eighth grader Lucia Faulkenburry. 

There was a similar walkout in Framingham with students calling in general for better mental health resources and for lawmakers to take strong action, though they credit Massachusetts. 

 "I know Massachusetts has more protective laws against gun violence and that is important," said student Alexis Morley. "Still, so many other states have mass shootings that pop up and it really makes you concerned you're going to be next." 

In Melrose, like many districts, the reality is shelter in place drills and lockdown drills, but even Melrose High School principal Jason Merrill says there's always concern it's not enough. "It is something to think about as a school leader, it's something I go to bed thinking about, and I wake up thinking about it," said Merrill. 

Alexis Morley believes the Melrose schools take a lot of precautions, but wonders, "will precautions be enough?"

In:
• Melrose News
• Gun Violence