On an October morning in 2022, the metro ride to school felt like any other to Zaria Edwards. Then, she heard a gunshot. “[That experience] traumatized me and it’s been really hard to speak about, “ she said.
Edwards, who is now a junior at ACHS, helps lead Students Demand Action, which is part of a national organization working to end the threat of gun violence. “I joined this club so that I could come out of my shell and spread awareness,” she said.
Her fellow executive, Natalie Cavender, said that she too has had to run from a shooting.
“But it’s not about my story,” said Cavender. “It’s about the 5,000 people that go to my school that have a similar story or know someone that’s been affected.”
On Friday, Sept. 5th, the SDA held a schoolwide walkout to advocate for the 31 lives lost to school shootings since the start of 2025– two of which were schoolchildren from the recent Minneapolis shooting in which a mass shooter opened fire on a Catholic church.
”Every new shooting that happens, it just makes me think again of how I’m not doing enough, and how we should always do more,” Cavender said.
The walkout had an overwhelming turnout, with more than 1,000 students across both the Minnie Howard and King St. campuses in attendance. “It’s really cool that we can all come out and come together for something,” said senior Cardin Babcock.
However, Edwards said she was “annoyed” with some students’ behavior, including many throwing bottles of water and juice into the crowd. ”I do wish that people took it a little bit more seriously,” she said. “It’s definitely not a joke.”
John Fitzpatrick, an english teacher at ACHS, said he was “standing in solidarity” with his students protesting gun violence. ”Lawmakers in this country need to understand that people under the age of 18 do have a voice,” he said. “This is one of those moments that they’re showing that voice.”
Many students said that there have been times when they have felt unsafe at school. ”Whenever we have lockdowns, it’s always in the back of my head, like, could this be a shooting?” Cavender said.
In fact, research shows that a perceived lack of safety can lead to chronic absenteeism. “Public education is so important,” Babcock said. “People shouldn’t be missing school because they’re afraid of violence.”
Fitzpatrick, whose mother also works in education, said that it is “ridiculous” that they have to worry about the risk of violence on a day to day basis. “I didn’t join this career to think about safety.”
Edwards and Cavender assured that the SDA will continue its fight to end gun violence, starting with banning assault rifles. Cavender added that the club is always looking for new members. ” You don’t personally need to be affected by the issue to care about it.”
