U.S. students stage nationwide walkout over gun violence
- Text by HUCK HQ
- Photography by Emily Pederson
This week, thousands of students across the U.S. walked out of their classrooms in a nationwide protest against gun violence.
The demonstration, which took place yesterday (Wednesday March 14), was an impassioned response to the recent mass shooting at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school – now the deadliest high school shooting in the country’s history. The tragedy led to the death of 17 people, and sparked a heated national debate on the leniency of American gun laws.
According to reports, it’s estimated that around 3,000 schools across the U.S. were involved in the walkout, which took place exactly one month after the Florida shooting.
In Downtown Brooklyn, almost 1,000 students were seen gathering outside the steps of Borough Hall in Columbus Park, where children as young as 11 were given the opportunity to speak at the mic and share their concerns.
One as-yet unidentified 12-year-old, whose cousins apparently live five minutes away from Stoneman Douglas, drew the loudest responses from the crowd. “I am a 12-year-old fearing for the lives of her cousins,” she shouted, defiantly. “17 students just like me had their entire lives ahead of them, but because as a country we do not question why a 19-year-old can buy multiple assault rifles, those 17 kids died. Because we make it too easy for people who don’t deserve guns to buy guns.”
“We have the right to bear arms,” she added, “but we also have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Photographer Emily Pederson was on hand to a capture the Brooklyn protest. Check out her images below.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
Photographing America’s 20th century rebels
Rebels With a Cause — A new monograph looks back at Jean-Pierre Laffont’s extensive archive documenting counterculture, art, activism and more, shaping the country as it is today.
Written by: Isaac Muk
The groundbreaking photography of Gordon Parks
Voices in the Mirror — A new exhibition dives deep into the legendary lensman’s archive, who captured the Civil Rights Movement and Black America like no other.
Written by: Miss Rosen
A chaotic portrait of an ’80s American farming family
Holy Cow! — Melonie Bennett grew up on a farm in Maine in the ’80s, and documented her family’s idiosyncratic daily life. She presents those humorous, everyday memories in a new exhibition and photobook.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Sports Banger is throwing a party to mark 90 years since the Battle of Cable Street
“Fascists hate dancing” — The October event will bring DJs, live music, sound system culture and anti-fascist politics together in East London.
Written by: Ella Glossop
The raw, fledgling intimacy of Peter Hujar’s contact sheets
Hujar:Contact — A new photobook highlights the process of the legendary queer photographer, and his process of growing into the artist he ultimately became.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Activists slam “pervert glasses” in new guerrilla campaign
Everyone Hates Elon — Stickers have appeared on the London Underground network, criticising the wearable technology’s covert filming capabilities.
Written by: Isaac Muk
