National school walkout: East students join other schools around the country in a walkout to protest lack of gun control

An estimated 250 East students participated in a national walk-out to protest gun violence at noon on Wednesday, April 5.

Due to the rise in school shootings over the last decade, students around the country are frustrated with the lack of gun control, leading them to organize this national protest in hopes of change, according to the East Against Gun Violence club. 

Students were encouraged to wear orange in support of the cause, and any willing students walked out on the football field where a 20-minute rally took place.

Junior and club Representative Emma Kuhlman and junior club co-President Emma Krause gave a speech addressing their concerns and encouraging the students to stand with them in their fight for better gun control.

“I just want students at east to be aware of how serious [gun violence] is,” Krause said. “We’re really proud of the students that came.”

Students held up signs saying “stop letting us die” and “people are worth more than guns.”

Kuhlman and Krause opened up the microphone to anyone else who wanted to speak. Senior Gianna Sorce gave a speech about her little brother being a freshman during the Olathe East High School shooting in March 2022 along with having a friend in a shooting early last summer. 

Freshman Chloe Harmon’s fear of school shootings gave her the motivation to walk out.

“It’s scary going into school with the possibility of it being shot up,” Harmon said. “I felt empowered being at the rally. I really hope that something changes and we are able to create a more safe environment for students all over the U.S.”