Bundled up against the cold, New School students walked out of their morning classes to protest gun violence in schools, joining thousands of others throughout the nation Wednesday.
Students and faculty gathered outside of The New School’s University Center at 65 Fifth Ave., as well as outside 66 W. 12th St.
“We as a country and as people need to come together—know that this is not right and know that this could happen to us. This can happen to anyone,” said Reuben Reuel, fourth year theater major.
The nationwide walkout, planned for one month after the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, was organized in part by EMPOWER, the youth section of the Women’s March.
Students would not be penalized for missing class to participate, according to an email sent March 13 by President David Van Zandt.
“We applaud the positive and constructive participation in walkouts, demonstrations, or other peaceful protests taking place around the country and the many voices coming together to speak as one,” said Van Zandt via email.
Faculty also participated in the demonstration.
“I think we are wanting to show solidarity with the movement that has begun with the students in Florida,” said Robert Sember, a Lang professor of interdisciplinary arts. Sember brought his Art After Apartheid class.
Van Zandt and Lang Dean Stephanie Browner also participated in the walkout.
“I’m absolutely in support of students who are organizing this kind of event nationwide. It’s a powerful moment and I hope there’s lots more,” Browner said.
Both Browner and Van Zandt called for a political solution to end gun violence.
“The solution has to be political, in electing people into local and political office that want to address this problem directly. Right now, I don’t think we have a lot of people like that,” Van Zandt said.
Some students were critical of how quickly the movement came together after the Parkland shooting, in light of the larger history of gun violence in the United States.
“The reason it has gained momentum is because there have been a lot of white faces at the face of it. So, that’s frustrating because the number of black and brown deaths at the hands of gun violence—it has been so prevalent for so long and it’s gone so unnoticed for so long,” said Sophia Garcia, a third year student studying arts in context. “But you know with any movement, once some momentum builds, it’s a great thing.”
Students were hopeful for the changes this demonstration would bring.
“I just hope that some change comes about after this. It’s been going on for so long that like we should do something finally. The hope is that this will finally start some sort of change and the protest in D.C. on the 24th and things like that,” said Rebecca Rodriguez, a third year studying theatre.
Photo by Orlando Mendiola