Iowa’s Youth Voices: Marching to Capitol Steps in Solidarity Against School Violence

Students in Iowa are preparing for a forceful protest to shake lawmakers’ complacency on gun violence in the wake of the devastating shooting at Perry High School. 

Fuelled by grief, anger, and an urgent need for change, students are set to stage a walkout on Monday, marching toward the state Capitol to demand action on gun laws.

The call to participate in this walkout came swiftly from March For Our Lives Iowa, mere hours after a Perry High School student took a young life and injured several others. 

The occurrence acted as a pivotal moment that motivated students to openly express their frustrations and concerns, leading to a strong and determined demand for immediate action.

Akshara Eswar, an executive state director at March For Our Lives Iowa, conveyed the profound impact of the shooting, stating, “The shooting has hit close to home for a lot of us.” 

The group hopes to convert this enthusiasm into a message for politicians, telling them that the current state of Iowa’s gun regulations is unacceptable.

Iowa Students’ Walkout and Legislative Goals

Students from various Iowa cities plan to join the walkout, aiming to present a letter outlining their legislative priorities to Governor Kim Reynolds on the inaugural day of the 2024 legislative session. 

These priorities encompass measures such as mandatory reporting of lost or stolen firearms and temporary bans on firearm possession for individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others until they receive help.

This tragic incident in Perry joins a disconcerting trend of school shootings across the nation. Shockingly, the US witnessed a record high of 188 school shootings with casualties during the 2021-22 school year, as per federal data. 

The surge in such incidents underscores the pressing need for stricter gun laws and comprehensive safety measures.

Amidst the heartbreak, the community mourns the loss of Ahmir Jolliff, a sixth-grade student whose family remembers him as a beacon of love and compassion. As Perry grapples with this tragedy, Ahmir’s family encourages him to carry forward his legacy of kindness and unwavering determination to make the world a better place.

The state of Iowa is resounding with the students’ rallying cry, “Enough is enough! It’s time for meaningful action on gun violence.” Iowa is bracing itself for this historic demonstration.