Crossroads Students Take Action Against Gun Violence

Students at Crossroads School held a series of demonstrations Wednesday to protest gun violence in schools, standing in solidarity with peers across the country as part of National Walkout Day.

 

The student-led events—held exactly one month after the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida—aimed to raise awareness and effect political change with the ultimate goal of preventing similar tragedies from happening in the future.

 

“I shouldn’t be worrying about gun violence,” eighth-grade student organizer Gracie Preminger said. “I should be worrying about my grades, upcoming tests and quizzes, and when I’m going to get my homework done.”

 

Activism and social justice are built into curricula and everyday life at Crossroads, and the National Walkout Day showcased the meaningful impact of students’ efforts at the School.

 

Wearing orange, the color of the national protest against gun violence, Middle and Upper School students held a moment of silence before delivering powerful speeches, performing songs of tribute and calling members of the School community to action. They also marched on the sidewalk outside the 21st Street Campus to promote safety in schools, holding signs and generating honks of approval from passing motorists.

 

“It’s such an amazing feeling to see everyone so empowered and so excited to work through it,” junior Eli Glasberg said. “I thought I was going to be sad and angry today, but I’m feeling really happy and motivated.”

 

Fourteen desk chairs and three lecterns were arranged in a line at the center of the campus displaying photos and bios of the victims of the Parkland shooting.

 

Student leaders arranged several “action tables” where classmates could write letters to elected officials, complete voter registration forms (if eligible) and make posters to hold at the March for Our Lives rally in Downtown Los Angeles on March 24.

 

“I want everyone to realize that this is a pressing issue,” Gracie said. “Who would have ever thought it would come to this? Our generation has the responsibility of creating a better future for the generations ahead of us.”