Hundreds Of West Orange Students Rally On Gun Violence (WATCH)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Hundreds of West Orange students held a rally at their local high school on April 20 – the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings – in a massive show against gun violence. The rally was held in solidarity with a national day of protest.

The April 20 rally was held at West Orange High School, which also saw separate protests against gun violence on March 14 and Feb. 21.

• See related article: West Orange Students Hold Walkout, Vigil On Gun Violence
• See related article: West Orange Students Hold School Walkout For Parkland Victims

During the April 20 rally, students used speeches, music, poetry, marching and art to support the creation of legislation aimed at curbing firearm-related violence. (See photo gallery above)

“This is what democracy looks like,” was a common rallying chant among students, who also lamented the amount of gun-related suicides that take place in the U.S. in addition to school shootings.

One piece of artwork from WOHS senior Desiree Rivera, “Policy and Change,” includes the names of every victim in every shooting from Columbine to Marjory Stoneman-Douglas High School. The piece will be installed in the art wing at the high school, administrators said.

Other student-led protests were held in Essex County on April 20, including Newark and the South Orange-Maplewood district.

• See related article: Newark Students Hold 2nd School Walkout On Gun Violence
• See related article: Columbia High Students Hold 2nd School Walkout On Guns (UPDATED)

The previous protests at WOHS on March 14 and Feb. 21 were embraced by West Orange Public School District administrators, who stated that participating students won’t be disciplined or charged with a cut or unexcused absence, “as is customary when a peaceful demonstration occurs at school."

“I completely support our students who participate in the walkout,” Superintendent Jeffrey Rutzky said prior to the March 14 rally. “Our goal is to support the students' rights of free expression while ensuring their safety. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and hopefully stop the tragic gun violence that has taken place in schools for far too long.”

Former West Orange mayor and State Assemblyman John McKeon, who represents New Jersey’s 27th District in the Legislature, became the latest public official to offer support for the students’ efforts during the April 20 rally.

McKeon, who appeared at the rally, said that although America comprises only four percent of the world’s population, Americans own 42 percent of guns worldwide.

“That’s too many guns,” McKeon said. “The Second Amendment was never meant to arm ourselves with weapons of war.”

• See related article: NJ Gun Advocates Say More Laws Won't Stop School Shootings

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Photos: West Orange Public Schools

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