U.S. students stage nationwide walkout over gun violence
- Text by HUCK HQ
- Photography by Emily Pederson
This week, thousands of students across the U.S. walked out of their classrooms in a nationwide protest against gun violence.
The demonstration, which took place yesterday (Wednesday March 14), was an impassioned response to the recent mass shooting at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school – now the deadliest high school shooting in the country’s history. The tragedy led to the death of 17 people, and sparked a heated national debate on the leniency of American gun laws.
According to reports, it’s estimated that around 3,000 schools across the U.S. were involved in the walkout, which took place exactly one month after the Florida shooting.
In Downtown Brooklyn, almost 1,000 students were seen gathering outside the steps of Borough Hall in Columbus Park, where children as young as 11 were given the opportunity to speak at the mic and share their concerns.
One as-yet unidentified 12-year-old, whose cousins apparently live five minutes away from Stoneman Douglas, drew the loudest responses from the crowd. “I am a 12-year-old fearing for the lives of her cousins,” she shouted, defiantly. “17 students just like me had their entire lives ahead of them, but because as a country we do not question why a 19-year-old can buy multiple assault rifles, those 17 kids died. Because we make it too easy for people who don’t deserve guns to buy guns.”
“We have the right to bear arms,” she added, “but we also have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Photographer Emily Pederson was on hand to a capture the Brooklyn protest. Check out her images below.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski and Andrea Arnold on ‘Bird’
The new issue of Little White Lies brings Andrea Arnold’s sixth feature to life with a thematic voyage down the Thames estuary.
Written by: Maisy Hunter
“A party is a microcosm of a nation”: Caleb Femi on the decline of the house party
To celebrate the publication of his new collection ‘The Wickedest’, Isaac Muk caught up with Femi to talk more about the work, the future of the shoobs, and discuss why having it large on a Saturday night should be cherished.
Written by: Isaac Muk
Celebrating 20 years of The Mighty Boosh
A new exhibition takes a look behind the scenes of the iconic show two decades after its BBC3 premiere.
Written by: Isaac Muk
We Run Mountains: Black Trail Runners tackle Infinite Trails
Soaking up the altitude and adrenaline at Europe’s flagship trail running event, high in the Austrian Alps, with three rising British runners of colour.
Written by: Phil Young
The organisation levelling the playing field in the music industry
Founded in 2022, The Name Game is committed to helping female, non-binary and trans people navigate the industry.
Written by: Djené Kaba
Vibrant, rebellious portraits of young Cubans
A new photobook captures the young people redefining Cuban identity amidst increased economic and political turbulence on the Caribbean island.
Written by: Isaac Muk