Clarke Central High School sophomore Kate Hinger speaks in Billy Henderson stadium during the CCHS walkout on Sept. 20. Students like Hinger and freshman Scarlett Alston attended the event and protested against gun violence in schools. “I’m here at the walkout because I don’t think it’s fair that kids go to school and (are) afraid of dying. The fact that it’s so easy (for children) there needs to be change in our government, and someone has to do something,” Alston said. Photo by Ma’Kiyah Thrasher
CCHS participated in a walkout on Sept. 20 to protest for stronger gun regulations in Georgia.
Hundreds of Clarke Central High School students, teachers and staff walked into Billy Henderson Stadium at 2:35 p.m. on Sept. 20 to protest for more gun safety laws in Georgia as a part of a statewide demonstration.
This statewide protest was organized by The Georgia Youth Justice Coalition in the wake of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School on Sept. 4. Four people were killed and nine injured in the shooting, leaving Apalachee closed for three weeks.
The statewide protest, which occurred at more than 30 high schools across Georgia, was organized to demand the passing of laws to prevent gun violence in schools.
“(School shootings are) commonplace at this point. It’s awful to think about. It’s just like, ‘Oh, this one’s nearby.’ That really is the only thing that made it different from any of the others,” social studies department teacher Elliot Slane said, “(The) Columbine (school shooting) happened when I was a sophomore in high school, so I’ve been dealing with it since I was in school too. It’s disappointing (but) it’s nothing shocking at this point in our lives.”
During the event, students gathered in half of Billy Henderson Stadium to listen to speeches made by their fellow students. Several created banners and one brought a megaphone, allowing the entire crowd to hear the speakers.
CCHS sophomore Essex Forker saw the Georgia Youth Justice Coalition spreading information about the walkout on Instagram and decided to help the Student Government Association set up the event at CCHS.
“I messaged the SGA and (the Principal’s Secretary LaToya) Hill and did what I could to help get (the walkout) approved. I felt like this is as much as I can do, and anything I can do, I want to,” Forker said, “I feel like if (the walkout) had been more organized, it would have been more impactful, but I still think any representation is good representation.”
CCHS senior Kamya Stephens came to the walkout because she wants to see Georgia legislators pass laws to end gun violence in schools and hopes that future students will be protected from the threat.
“I feel like everyone’s out here for a different purpose, but I’m out here because I want to do this for me and my future. Given the fact I’m a senior, this is what I can do before I leave,” Stephens said. “Hopefully, next year, more laws, rules and more security will be enforced to better our schools and our safety.”
“(School shootings are) commonplace at this point. It’s awful to think about. It’s just like, ‘Oh, this one’s nearby.’ That really is the only thing that made it different from any of the others,”
— Elliot Slane,
CCHS social studies department teacher
Not all students were actively engaged in the rally, however. Behind the speakers and students holding up banners, some students played pick-up soccer while others disturbed a moment of silence held for the victims of the shooting.
“I just want to thank all the kids that came out here for the right reasons, spoke out, held signs, stood, paid attention (and were) silent. And I’m very disappointed in the kids that came out here, did nothing, talked, went in the corner, played soccer and just were blatantly disrespectful,” CCHS junior Nate St. Onge said.
To keep students and staff safe the Clarke County School District limited the duration of the walkout to an hour. At 3:35 p.m., students grabbed their bags and headed home, though ones like Stephens left with action on their minds.
“I would say (to legislators), ‘Do better. Do better for our students.’ Say if it was your kids going to school every day and their lives. You never know when stuff happens, just like the incident with Apalachee,” Stephens said, “They should do a better job, and really us being out here, we’re advocating for (ourselves).”
