Hundreds of students from across the Denver metropolitan area participated in walkouts and rallies on Wednesday, demanding legislative action to improve school safety. The demonstrations included a gathering at the Colorado State Capitol and coordinated walkouts at multiple high schools, including Columbine and Conifer.
The student-led protests were organized in the wake of a recent shooting at Evergreen High School that left two students injured. Participants called for what they describe as common-sense gun laws, urging lawmakers to prioritize the well-being of students in their educational environments.
Key Takeaways
- Students from several Denver-area high schools held rallies and walkouts for school safety.
- The main event was organized by Students Demand Action at the Colorado State Capitol.
- The protests follow a recent shooting at Evergreen High School that injured two students.
- Students are calling for new gun legislation to prevent violence in schools.
Morning Rally at the State Capitol
The day's events began Wednesday morning with a large rally on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. The demonstration was organized by Students Demand Action, a national organization with hundreds of chapters that was established following the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Teenagers from various high schools in the metro area gathered to voice their concerns. After a series of speeches, the group marched through downtown Denver before returning to the Capitol, creating a visible and vocal call for change.
"Gun violence affects us all," said Carter Ferris, a representative from Students Demand Action. "We cannot let this issue polarize us like so many have. We have to unite together in this. Not as Democrats or Republicans, but as students, as teachers, as parents, as Americans. We are all affected. Fight for the change you wish to see."
The message from student speakers was one of unity and urgency, emphasizing that the issue of school safety transcends political divides and affects entire communities.
About Students Demand Action
Students Demand Action is a national, grassroots movement of young activists committed to ending gun violence. Formed in the aftermath of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the group is affiliated with Moms Demand Action and is part of the larger Everytown for Gun Safety network. It empowers students to organize locally and advocate for stronger gun laws at both the state and federal levels.
Afternoon Walkouts Across the Region
Following the morning rally, coordinated walkouts took place at several high schools during the afternoon. Students at notable schools like Columbine High School and Conifer High School left their classrooms to continue the protest.
These demonstrations were a direct and personal way for students to show their solidarity and demand that their own places of learning be made safer. The presence of law enforcement, including Jefferson County deputies and Colorado State Patrol troopers, ensured the students could protest safely as they marched.
Evergreen Students Join Conifer Protest
A particularly poignant moment occurred when students from Evergreen High School joined the walkout at nearby Conifer High School. Evergreen High School was closed for the week following a shooting on its campus just last week, which resulted in injuries to two students.
The participation of the Evergreen students highlighted the immediate and tangible nature of the threat that motivated the day's protests. Their presence served as a somber reminder of the real-world consequences of school violence.
The Impact of School Violence
According to data from education and safety organizations, incidents of gun violence on school grounds have a profound and lasting impact on students' mental health, attendance, and academic performance. Studies show that students who experience or witness such events are at a higher risk for anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Student Voices Call for Change
The walkouts were organized and led by students who feel that previous generations have not done enough to address the problem of gun violence in schools. They expressed frustration that their focus is often diverted from academics to activism out of necessity.
Evelyn Seevers, the student who organized the walkout at Conifer High School, articulated this sentiment clearly. She spoke about the burden placed on her generation to demand basic safety.
"Our parents didn't do enough. Our communities didn't do enough. And we're asking them to do more," Seevers stated. "Demanding safety in school shouldn't be a controversial issue. We need to be safe. We need to go to school -- worrying about my math test. I should be worrying about where I'm going to go to college, my essay, instead of organizing a gun violence protest."
Her words capture a common feeling among the young protesters: a desire to return to the normal concerns of teenage life without the overarching fear of violence. The students' message was not just one of protest, but a plea for adults and legislators to take decisive action so they can focus on their education and future.
Community and Legislative Context
The student-led demonstrations in Colorado are part of a larger national conversation about school safety and gun control. Such protests often gain momentum after specific incidents, galvanizing local communities and putting pressure on elected officials.
Colorado has a complex history with this issue, being the site of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, an event that reshaped the national dialogue on school security. The continued activism from a new generation of students at Columbine and other local schools indicates that the issue remains a top priority for young people in the state.
The walkouts serve as a direct appeal to state lawmakers, who are often tasked with balancing Second Amendment rights with public safety measures. The students hope their collective action will translate into concrete policy changes designed to prevent future tragedies.