SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — Hundreds of students in the Shaker Heights community walked out of class Thursday to demand change after the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas earlier this week.
Students from Shaker Heights Middle School and Shaker Heights High School staged a walk-out at noon on Thursday to honor the lives lost at Robb Elementary School.
Kayia Thomas, a junior at Shaker Heights High School, told 3News that there needs to be laws in place for students across the country to feel safe.
"We're out here because our politicians need to make laws so that we're safe," Thomas said.
Following the tragedy in Texas, students of all ages had to go to school the next day, which was traumatizing for some.
"You almost come in and you think for an hour, you think for your first period 'oh gosh,'" said junior Josh Mink. "You check the windows and you check the door and you look at people around you and you say, 'what if?'"
Thomas told 3News about active shooter drills, and the reality they've become.
"It's scary that we even have to go in there hide under desks," said Thomas. "It's scary because they know it's our reality."
Students carried posters with messages around Shaker Heights High School reading; 'Am I Next?' 'Don't Shoot,' 'Guns Don't Die Kids Do.'
Students, teachers, school board members and parents want to spread the message of change throughout the country so children feel safe at school.
Previous Reporting:
- Northeast Ohio church displays empty chairs for victims of Uvalde elementary school shooting
- Gov. Mike DeWine's office defends his record on gun violence following deadly Texas school shooting
- Parma school resource officer describes role in protecting students
- How to talk to your kids about tragedy following deadly Texas school shooting