Students march down the Mall during the walkout at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. Photo by: Alan O’Hara
Melogy Niv, president of the Pierce College Democrats, led the protest chanting, “the NRA has got to go!” in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. Students walked out for 17 minutes at Pierce College to protest gun legislation. Photo by Minette Rubin
John Millhone, associate computer and network support specialist, and Kathleen Burke, college president, watch as students, staff and faculty participate in the walkout on the Mall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. Photo by Randi Love
Edwin Dagdagan, member of the Pierce College Democrats, participates in the march along the Mall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. Photo by Randi Love
Mariana Castellanos, president of College Republicans, stands at a table set up during the walkout on the Mall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. Photo by Randi Love
Pierce College students march down the Mall during the walkout in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. They are protesting reforming gun policies. Photo by: Avedis Ghazarian
Pierce College students march against gun violence on the Mall in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. Jamie Boonjakuakul
Melody Niv, vice president or ASO, Efren Lopez, president of ASO, and Shanaz Khosti, ASO senate member, listen to a speaker during the the walkout on the Mall at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif. on March 14, 2018. Photo by Randi Love
Approximately 200 Pierce students marched on the Mall today to protest gun violence and commemorate the 17 victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting.
Students across the country organized a nationwide walkout at 10 a.m. local time. Seventeen seconds of silence were dedicated to each victim. Students carried signs and spoke during the rally at the Brahma Bull.
ASO President Efren Lopez helped organize the rally with campus clubs.
“It is really amazing that people are coming out and expressing themselves to really stand up for change. That is the most important part,” Lopez said. “We have our speakers and the support. It shows that we want to end gun violence.”
The Pierce College Democrats and the Resist Club participated in the march. The Pierce College Republicans, Young Americans for Liberty and Turning Point U.S.A. set up a table promoting their pro-gun stance.
Pierce President Kathleen Burke observed the rally from a distance.
“I’m not sure most students know who I am, so I’m just here to make sure everyone has their right to free speech,” Burke said.
—————–Additional reporting by Felipe Gamino———————-
