NC State students walked out of class to the Court of North Carolina at 10 a.m. on Friday as part of a nationwide protest against gun violence. Walkouts across the country were held on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting at 10 a.m. in each school’s time zone.
Jena Phillips, a second-year studying political science, coordinated the event. Phillips said that she wanted to show high schoolers that college students stand with them on the issue of gun violence.
“I know that there are people on this campus who are passionate about this issue and I understand that asking people to walk out of their classes is something difficult,” Phillips said. “The East Coast is scheduled to walk out at 10 a.m. I know that there will be a lot of high school students walking out today and I want them to know that college students support them.”
Phillips said she thinks it’s important for students to show their support for victims of school shootings and a way to do that is to act.
“We support the victims of Stoneman Douglas, we support Sandy Hook and any other victims,” Phillips said. “And if the university is not going to act on that, it’s time that we will.”
Phillips emphasized the importance of not disrupting classes during the walkout.
“My biggest thing is that I don’t want there to be any repercussions for anyone who participates,” Phillips said. “One of the things that was told to me was that if we disrupt anyone trying to learn, at that point the university can step in. My idea was for this to be as peaceful as humanly possible.”
Marie Gualtieri, a graduate student studying sociology and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School alumna, attended the walkout to support her former school.
“I am here today for the 17 eagles that we lost at our school and for all of those affected by gun violence,” Gualtieri said. “On behalf of my school and the community, we want to stand in solidarity with Columbine on its anniversary. I am here today with my friends to urge politicians to do something. We know that it has to be bipartisan, we know that there will need to be compromise but we really just need to get the ball rolling for change.”
Janae Brown, a first-year studying bioprocessing science who walked out this morning, found out about the event from Facebook and thinks the issue is one for younger generations to help solve.
“I just think this is our issue for our generation, and something that we will have to take care of for our kids and the future,” Brown said. “Advocating for a solution to the problem right now is our duty as citizens of this country and generation.
Meredith Hemphill, a fourth-year studying genetics and plant biology, is another student who walked out and found out about the event on Facebook. She said that she felt it was important to attend.
“I have not existed in a world without school shootings,” Hemphill said. “My mom has told me that she decided to be a stay-at-home mom because of Columbine being on the news. She was so scared that she felt the need to quit working and come home and protect me.”
Hemphill also said that more concrete solutions are needed to make progress.
“It’s been 20 years and nothing has changed,” Hemphill said. “Since Parkland there has been a number of small things done that are pretending to get at the issue, like clear backpacks. There is a recognition that people want something done, but nobody is willing to do anything but something has got to change.”
