UVALDE, Texas — Uvalde ISD students staged a walkout in protest of gun violence in communities Wednesday as part of a nationwide series of students walkouts.
Students Demand Action is a gun violence prevention advocacy organization calling young people to action. The group urged students around the country Wednesday to stage a walkout to compel lawmakers to create legislation to curb gun violence.
In Uvalde, gun violence is forefront in the minds of many as the one-year anniversary of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting approaches. On May 24, 2022, an 18-year-old gunman entered a classroom and killed 19 people and two teachers.
Videos from around social media show the Uvalde students protesting with signs at a public memorial for the victims of the Robb shooting.
In the first 68 days of this year, there have been 106 mass shootings in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive.
State Senator Roland Gutierrez, whose district includes Uvalde, responded Wednesday to the student walkouts, saying in part:
“Children shouldn’t have to walk out of class so that adults can find the political will to do something to keep them safe. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in America. Our young kids are dying in schools nationwide because politicians refuse to change gun laws"
Sen. Gutierrez has proposed a series of bills aimed at curbing gun violence, including raising the age to purchase assault-style weapons from 18 to 21. Governor Greg Abbott said he does not believe it would pass legal challenges.