Students at Gresham High School in Oregon organized a walkout on Thursday afternoon to protest ongoing safety issues on campus. This event was spearheaded by the student-run Gresham Student Union, which used social media to encourage fellow students to gather outside the school and march to the nearby Gresham-Barlow School District office.
Close to 200 students participated in the protest, which was marked by emotional speeches from both students and parents, all advocating for improved safety measures. Senior Lola expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “We all deserve to be safe. We’re here to build our future, but we’re worrying about if our future is going to be lost in a matter of seconds.”
The protest follows a serious incident that occurred two weeks prior, where a 17-year-old student brought a gun onto school grounds after threatening someone at a nearby transit center. Although no shots were fired, students and staff felt the response to the situation was inadequate. Lola described her fear during the incident and criticized the management of the threat, claiming it was mishandled.
Parents echoed these sentiments, voicing concerns over increasing violence in schools. One parent, Amy Ward, articulated her fears, saying, “The violence that seems to be increasing with every lockdown that the parents are aware of is unbelievable. It’s unacceptable, and I want my son to be safe.”
At a Gresham-Barlow School Board meeting, community members expressed their dissatisfaction with the district’s handling of the threat, calling for leadership changes. Student Union member Michael Neteleski emphasized that the leadership’s lack of proper care during the situation put students’ lives at risk.
In response, the Gresham-Barlow School District released a statement thanking school staff for their swift actions in identifying and securing the armed student. The district emphasized its commitment to reviewing safety procedures after any incident and collaborating with the community to ensure a safe learning environment.
Despite the district’s reassurances, students like junior Trinity expressed a desire for tangible action, highlighting a series of altercations that have occurred since the school year began. The protest concluded with students sitting in front of the district office, sharing information about the recent gun threat and their demands for improved safety measures.
After the walkout, students returned to class, having made their voices heard regarding the pressing need for enhanced security at Gresham High School.
