About 90 to 100 students assembled in the gym during advisory period Friday to call for common sense gun reform as a part of the nationwide walkout campaign. Principal Mark Mimms, School Resource Officer Jeremy Petty and other teachers were present to ensure the safety of the students participating.

Student organizers senior Ryan Short and junior Kundai Nyamandi, and approximately 15 other students, started distributing posters and taking photos as people trickled in the doors about 12:07 p.m. Shortly after, Short started their speech.

“Today we’re going to demand change,” Short said. “In second period, a few minutes ago, I was just reading that there was another [shooting] this morning in Forest High School [Florida]. This issue will not escape us.”

Short was referring to a shooting that occurred Friday morning in Ocala, Florida where one student was shot in the ankle and transported to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries and the suspect was arrested, according to national news reports.

Short’s speech concluded with a moment of silence that lasted 47 seconds, honoring the 47 children killed by guns every day on average and was followed by a speech from junior Joseph Ingram.

“Our government may not have woken up, but we have,” Ingram said. “You do not have to be a Republican or a Democrat to understand that this is a common sense issue. This is not a red and blue issue, this is a red, white and blue issue.” Ingram’s impassioned speech was followed by applause from the crowd.

While the speeches were occurring, volunteer deputy registrar Sandra Barbra said about 18 people had registered to vote and about two to three people had taken mail-ins.

“I feel like if we don’t vote, we are not voicing our opinions,” senior Alexis Resinger said, who participated in the walkout during advisory.

The last speech by freshmen Anoo Mallepalli was cut short by Mimms due to the time constraint. Short made a statement after Mimms made the announcement.

“You can go back to class, and you have no punishment,” Short said. “You always have a choice.”

Students who were planning to protest outside the designated time and place gathered around in front of the auditorium after advisory and then left through the side doors. They were walked out of the school by Mimms and other officers due to a counter-protest occurring nearby. According to a tweet from The Dallas Morning News, the counter-protest involved three legally armed men that the students decided to avoid by taking another route. 

The group of students later joined with others from Independence High School at Ash Woods Park and ended their walk at Yucca Ridge Park behind Independence, according to a text message from senior Oishika Das.

More details to follow as events unfold.

Staffer Alexander Jaime contributed to this report.