Hundreds of Pioneer students participated in a national school walkout Feb. 21 in response to the recent gun violence in the country, particularly gun violence in schools. The walkout lasted 17 minutes, one minute for each life lost in the Valentine’s Day mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. While the walkout was part of a larger national event, the Pioneer one was organized by Student Council.

Senior Emma Roth, one of the organizers, says that this walkout is a response to students’ fear. “The walkout, all the national walkouts, are because we’re scared and that should not happen in schools to children,” she said.

Pioneer senior Henry Taylor also helped organize the walkout. He said that it could not have been done without the support of the Pioneer staff. “The administration and the teachers were incredibly instrumental in making everything that happened at that rally possible. Without their understanding and advocacy for the issue at hand, the rally would have been much less impactful,” he says.

A larger more formal rally is planned on March 14 at Pioneer. Organizers encourage people to get involved by calling their legislature and demanding stricter gun laws.