MNPS Students Walk Out to Call for Stronger Gun Laws

On Monday, April 3rd students from all schools in Nashville, Tennessee held a student walkout at 10:13 AM to go straight to the capitol for student protesting of gun control after The Covenant School shooting in Green Hills.

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The 10:13 time was chosen to honor those killed on Monday, March 27th at 10:13 AM, when an active shooter, 28-year-old Audrey E. Hale. shot through the glass doors of The Covenant School in Green Hills, TN. She carried two assault rifles, military grade weapons, and a handgun through the school, killing three second graders and three staff members, including the headmaster of the school. 

Evelyn Dickhaus, age 9

Hallie Scruggs, age 9

William Kinney, age 9

Cynthia Peak, age 61

Katherine Koonce, age 60

Mike Hill, age 60

Democratic Representative for District 52, Justin Jones, led protests in front of the Tennessee capitol. High school students led marches through downtown and around the capitol. Students, along with fellow protesters, began making their way into the Nashville capitol building around 11:37 AM.

Students chanted things like “What do we want gun control! When do we want it? Now!” and “Whose house? Our house!” during the walk through the capitol building and into the Cordell Hull building to find other representatives to talk to.

Students and other protesters reached Cordell Hull, where representatives hold conferences and other important meetings, around 11:50 AM. Students and protestors were told to go to the 6th floor where they would find Rep. Justin Jones. Students and protesters lined the walls of the 6th floor hallways holding signs and chanting about the lack of protection for students. 

Republican Representative William Lanberth for District 44 chose to speak to the students after other representatives chose to record and watch the sit-in being held.

“It’s not about this one gun. If there is one firearm that you are comfortable being shot with, please show me which one it is,” Lanberth said to a student who had asked him about gun control. 

“During the protests, I really experienced unification. [Seeing] all of the kids and parents come together to fight for something we all agree we need in our country was so powerful,” 

Hillwood High School junior Delana Hayes said, “It was almost unreal, to be honest. I’ve never seen so many people coming together for the same reason.”