Heights Students Walkout For Stricter Gun Laws [Video]

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — On Friday, students across the nation took part in protests and walkouts on the anniversary of the Columbine High School shootings. Cleveland Heights High School students were among thousands of Northeast Ohio students that rallied for stricter gun laws.

“I'm proud that we had a walkout, and I'm especially proud that students are also writing letters and making calls to our political leaders to tell them that we want to change our gun laws,” said Georgie Jolivette, Vice President of the Heights High Student Council, on the CHUH School District website.

The walkouts and other protest events were completely voluntary, no students were forced to participate. All of the protest activities were student-led, the district said.

At 10 a.m., hundreds of students at Heights High School led a rally on the football field. At Heights Middle School, students gathered on the lawn and circled while holding protest signs.

The Heights High students marched through the neighborhood after their rally. Their route circled around the surrounding streets and concluded back at the football field. Students were then able to sign-up to vote (if they were age-eligible).

The district said that a group of students from Beaumont School even took part in the protest events.

“We're really happy with how it went and the fact that so many students participated today,” said Ryan Penson, President of the Heights High Student Council.

For more information on the protests, click here.

Photo from William Bornhoft, Patch