Iowa students march at the capitol with the intention of getting a safer tomorrow 

Hundreds of students statewide walked out of school and marched to the Iowa capitol building this Monday, hoping to make the legislature listen to their concerns about gun violence. Students said they are scared to come to school, and instead of learning they are fearing for their lives. They say it’s time for action, and the students who came and protested are taking action to save their lives and others. 

The march was organized by the Iowa chapter of March For Our Lives, a youth-led organization hoping to end gun violence. Their goal is to create a safe community where there is no gun violence. At the capitol, two members spoke and helped lead the crowd with chants, one being, “No more silence, end gun violence.” Marching to the capitol was a representation of what democracy is; protesting is Americans’ right, guaranteed by the First Amendment. With the march to the capitol,  students ensured their message got through to the legislature and the governor. In recent years, Iowa lawmakers have eased gun restrictions, which opponents say exacerbate the existing problems of gun violence in schools and elsewhere. 

Many people made a speech at the capitol, saying that we should keep speaking and that it is our future, ‘our time’ and with all the students coming together they created a message that will be heard because ‘it is our time’. Waukee senior Hala White was given the opportunity to speak her mind by giving a speech to all the protesters. Although she was scared, she had a passion that kept her strong, she said. As she read the poem, many were filled with passion and said that it was amazing. 

On January 8th, people’s voices were heard. They marched with intentions of change, and so they did.  A letter was sent to the legislation listing concerns people had. The event was covered by local newspapers and broadcast stations, fulfilling the organizers’ goal of bringing attention to the issue of gun violence in schools.