Maricopa High School students staged a quiet and brief protest of gun violence. Principal Rick Abel addresses the crowd in front of the high school:

 

Maricopa High School students walked out of their classrooms Thursday morning in a student-organized memorial to victims of school gun violence.

“I wanted to do it in tribute for all students who lost their life due to not having the knowledge about guns or knowledge of procedures,” said 17-year-old Faith Mead.

Mead is one of the 450 students who participated in what district administrators have called an “observance” at 10 a.m. on school grounds.

The students filled the high school’s front court yard near the flagpole to observe a period of silence and an opportunity for prayer honoring those killed last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, according to Maricopa Unified School District Human Resources Director Tom Beckett.

“Once Maricopa High School staff became aware that the observance was going to take place, they worked with student leaders to provide a safe space to gather on school property,” Beckett said.

Before asking students to return to class, Principal Rick Abel told students:

“We share in your grief. We respect what you’re doing. And we all have our own prayers about the situation. Our biggest job is to keep you safe. You have a voice. This is a good way to use that voice. We hope you continue to use it in a respectful fashion because that’s how positive change takes place.”

Beckett said administration, student resource officers, counselors and staff were present at the memorial. He said all students returned to class after the conclusion of the observance.

The event is one of many walk-outs organized by high school students nation-wide.

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