National Day of Action Against Gun Violence
This morning at 10:00 am, many Kimball Union students walked out midway through their second period class to congregate for 17 minutes as light snow blew through Meriden to participate in the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools.
“3000 schools did a walk out in support of school safety and gun control,” remarks co-coordinator Gavin ’18. Alicia ‘18, his partner in organizing the movement, elaborates, “We offered an opportunity for the school community to walk out of class, break the schedule, and gather together in support and defiance of what is happening in the country right now. We need gun reform and as a student body, we wanted to give people a way to participate in activism.”
Gavin and Alicia each made speeches to the gathering, followed by a 47-second moment of silence to symbolize the average number of people under the age of 18 who are injured by gun violence each day in America. Gavin continues, “Alicia and I had no idea how many people would come but I was impressed with the turnout. And as a school, I was impressed with the level of maturity I saw.”
Gavin and Alicia each made speeches to the gathering, followed by a 47-second moment of silence to symbolize the average number of people under the age of 18 who are injured by gun violence each day in America. Gavin continues, “Alicia and I had no idea how many people would come but I was impressed with the turnout. And as a school, I was impressed with the level of maturity I saw.”
After their addresses, they opened the floor to other members of the crowd to speak before a closing plea to write postcards to New Hampshire Governor (and 2017 KUA Commencement Speaker) Chris Sununu. “We thought it was important to actually reach out to somebody in power who could take leadership on this,” Says Gavin. He continues, “We will mail the 30 postcards we gathered along with a letter explaining the significance. He and his wife have been here a couple times… I hope he will remember us, that our name recognition will capture his attention, and that he will be inspired to speak out in a more direct and serious manner on this issue.”
Thank you Gavin and Alicia for your leadership and stay tuned for more news from The Hilltop.
