Malden High School students participate in nationwide ‘walkout’ against gun violence in schools

Hundreds of local students join thousands across U.S. in peaceful protest in response to latest tragedy in Nashville

  At precisely noon, a group of Malden High School students exited the building and converged on the steps of the Jenkins Building as part of a peaceful protest against the growing gun violence in schools across the nation. The latest tragedy took place in Nashville, Tenn., on March 27, where a lone assailant killed three children and three staff members at a private school before the shooter was shot and killed by police responding to the scene. The nationwide protest was organized nationwide by advocacy group Students Demand Action in the wake of the latest school shooting.

  Advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, which coordinated the walkouts through Students Demand Action, said there were more than 300 demonstrations across 41 states and D.C. to kick off a “week of action” by advocates and gun violence survivors.

  In Malden, about 500 Malden High School students participated in the protest, leaving their classrooms and some departing from their scheduled lunchtime to leave the building and initially gather in front of the Jenkins Building of MHS on Salem Street. Several students associated with the MHS Youth Civics Council used megaphones to address the students gathered outside the building. They then led a walk around the perimeter of Malden High School, staying on the sidewalk at all times, according to MHS Principal Chris Mastrangelo, who was outside the building throughout the walkout, along with other members of this administrative team, as well as some MHS educators.

  According to Mastrangelo, “It was a safe and orderly event, as have been other similar events here at Malden High School in the past.”

  The MHS principal commended the student organizers of the event and those who participated, for their motivation and passion for a worthy cause – protesting gun violence in schools in the United States. He also thanked the educators who helped provide support to ensure the safety of the student participants “who never left school grounds, as they stayed on the perimeter of the building at all times,” he said.

  “We were able to express our opinion on an important issue and it is time for action to be taken to make sure we are safe in our own school and students in all of our country are safe at school,” said one student, who asked not to be identified by name.

  Mastrangelo sent out an informative email to the parents and caregivers of all of Malden High’s 1,890 students, a copy of which was obtained by the Advocate. The MHS Principal wrote: “Today, a group of students decided to walk out of school to protest against gun violence. The students that participated met at the steps of the Jenkins Building for a rally. This was followed by a walk around the perimeter of the building.”

  “The Malden Public Schools do not endorse or support any walkouts or protests, but we want our students to be safe. Therefore, after the students’ demonstration, they did return to school to continue with their regular school day,” he added.