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'This can't end here': Rufus King students say gun debate must continue after walkouts

Posted at 6:25 PM, Mar 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-14 19:25:31-04

Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver spent the moment with students at Rufus King High School as they walked out of school.

"If we don't figure out how to come together and talk about the real issues that are affecting our young people in our schools we don't stand a chance in preventing this," said Driver.

WISCONSIN WALKOUT STORIES 

Despite the administration's presence, the demonstration was student organized and lead.

It started silent and somber, but still strong.

For 17 minutes, nearly 1,500 Rufus King students walked together. Some held onto each other, some held onto signs reading "never again."

The only words spoken were the names of the 17 victims killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.

But as time passed, their voices grew louder.

"News flash this is not an adult issue. We are exercising our right to peacefully protest. They say we are dumb and only want out of school. News flash, our school can never be safe when we know guns are not regulated on a daily basis," shouted Morgan Coleman and Ruth Fetaw.

The message also grew larger. The students were worried not just about school violence, but violence throughout the City of Milwaukee.

"Honestly every day when I walk to the bus or walk home, I am scared. I am anxious about somebody coming up and pulling out a weapon, that they shouldn't even have access to," said Sierra Rojas.

Some students were too overcome with emotion to share their stories, but their messages were still received.

"This has to keep going. This can't end here. this is amazing, but this is just a symbol of what is going to happen," said Kiva Carman-Frank.