Hundreds walk out of Somerville High School to protest gun violence

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Hundreds of Somerville High School students walked out of school Wednesday morning to speak out against gun violence in the wake of the most recent mass shooting in Florida.

WATCH LIVE: Somerville High group ‘Students Against Gun Violence’ plan walkout

The demonstration comes as students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, returned to class for the first time since 17 people were killed in a mass shooting on Valentine’s Day.

"We're clearly being affected," one student said. "The amount of mass shootings that have happened in this country alone shows that, and how they've happened in schools."

Thousands of other students across the country have demonstrated by organizing walkouts over the past two weeks.

“I am incredibly proud of our students’ advocacy, and the leadership that they’re taking to demand change on an issue that is impacting communities across the country," Somerville Superintendent Mary Skipper said in a statement. "Every day, I am amazed at the strength of our students, their commitment to each other and to their community, and their ability to lead and galvanize around issues that they believe will create positive change in our world."

At 8:17 a.m. Wednesday Somerville High School students walked out, sat in silence for 17 minutes, and then marched to a nearby field where their Legislators’ contact information was provided.

The group of students said it plans to then reach out to their Legislators and demand action on gun control.

"It's their responsibility to keep us safe and they haven't been doing their job," Amalia Hochman said. "We're not safe."

It’s was an emotional day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Wednesday as students headed back to class, and some spoke about their expectations.

“Nervous and anxious about going back to school, going back to class,” student Dimitri Hoth said. “Yet, at the same time, feeling glad that we’re going to be together.”

“It’s like the first step to moving on from the tragedy that happened,” student Lorenzo Prado said.

In Somerville, a group of students said the next step is lobbying for prevention.

Cox Media Group