At noon on Friday, a group of about 50 students gathered on the front lawn of the University School of Nashville campus. Clustered in the shade near a table of snacks, they shared handmade posters and took turns making phone calls to their representatives. They walked around the campus block chanting, “Protect children, not guns,” as well as the names of student victims of gun violence. When lunchtime ended, many of the students returned to class, but about a dozen remained outside to continue the demonstration.
USN was among the six Tennessee schools that joined nationwide school walkouts on Friday, calling on state and federal lawmakers to take action for gun violence prevention. Hillsboro High School and Nashville School of the Arts also took part. Organized by Students Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety, the protests demanded a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
“Schools should not be a place where you’re worried if you’re going to come home or not,” 17-year-old USN senior Isabella Aulino told the Banner…