Thousands of students walked out of classes across the country Wednesday to demand lawmakers take action on gun safety following a mass shooting at an elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee.
Students at dozens of schools across at least 11 states walked out in protest, according to local media reports, estimates from school districts and USA TODAY Network reporters on the scene.
Advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, which coordinated the walkouts through Students Demand Action, said there were more than 300 demonstrations across at least 41 states and D.C. to kick off a “week of action” by gun safety advocates and gun violence survivors.
Ryley Collins, 15, a volunteer with Students Demand Action who helped lead a walkout at Jasper High School in Plano, Texas, said she and her classmates wanted to “make sure our lawmakers understand that we want more than just thoughts and prayers.”
