Hundreds of Baltimore students walk out of class to protest school gun violence

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On Tuesday, hundreds of Baltimore students walked out of class to march to City Hall in protest of gun violence.

Students from both public and private schools across the city, marched together. According to the Baltimore Sun, many chanted “Guns down! Grades up!” for miles. The chant is also the hashtag they used online. It trended locally on Twitter.

Students walked with signs with messages such as “Who else has to die?” and “Enough Violence!”

Solidarity with Parkland

The protest is in solidarity with the Parkland, FL protests which were sparked after the deadly shooting that killed 17 students and teachers, injuring dozens more. The activism from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students has inspired millions across the nation, primarily other students, to organize and march for safety in their own schools. They tie in their safety messaging with advocacy for stricter gun laws.

Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa encouraged the students and acknowledged their bravery. Both also participated in the 17-minute “lie-in” which was a demonstration to honor the victims of the Parkland shooting.

The Baltimore students did not march on a whim. The Baltimore Sun reports that they had began to compile a list of demands in February. Originally, it included an ask for stricter gun control laws, as well as a “red flag law” which would allow judges to temporarily disallow gun owners access to their firearms if they’re deemed a danger to themselves or others in the court.

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However, the students eventually shortened the list. They’re asking for more frequent shooter drills, a ban on detachable magazines (which are able to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition in one load), comprehensive investigations into allegations of school misconduct, and They are also demanding social work and counseling to be established within school culture. 

Disappointment with Mayor Pugh

“America needs to hear the voices of the young people of Baltimore,” Pugh said. She then revealed that she planned to assist the students by organizing 60 free buses for the national school walkout in D.C. on March 24.

Many of the students expressed disappointment with Mayor Pugh who offered to provide transportation, t-shirts, and lunches for students to attend the march in Washington later this month. Instead, they were hoping for some real actions that would make a change in their schools.

One student expressed the need for universal background checks and a raised minimum age for gun purchase. 

“Students were willing to walk out, to let go of whatever test or project they had and put their energy towards the protection of their friends,” Cassius Comfort told the Baltimore Sun. They’re actually interested in more than just a free absent day from school.