Hundreds of Denver East High School students inundated Colorado’s Capitol building for a second straight day Friday to press legislators to enact changes to gun laws in the wake of a second shooting involving a student in as many months.
Teachers, parents and students from surrounding schools joined them, and the group rallied on the state Capitol steps before entering the building to appeal to lawmakers. The scene outside was emotional, with student and faculty speakers at the gathering passionately that policymakers keep schools safe.
Mayor Michael Hancock and DPD chief Ron Thomas speak with Denver East Students and students from DPS about what the Mayors office can do about the problem of gun violence.
They should worry about prom and their homework and not gun violence, they told the Denver Gazette. The school is reeling from Wednesday’s shooting of two administrators — allegedly by a student — and classmate Luis Garcia’s death on March 1 after being shot in February. A “swatting” prank threatening violence also drew a police response.
East High student Julia Knox said proposals raising the Colorado firearms purchasing age to 21, as well as a three-day waiting period between firearm purchase and possession, are amongst students' top legislative priorities.
"We've been testifying at city council, at DPS (Denver Public Schools) and here at the Capitol for months now on end," student Beckett Nelson-Gardner said.
Lawmakers are considering a slew of proposals that supporters say would curb gun violence and save lives, but which critics argue would turn law-abiding citizens into criminals.
Supporters of the measure seeking a waiting period say it would allow for a time for someone thinking of suicide, for example, to reconsider — or for friends and family members to intervene, arguing a day without a gun is another day a life is saved. Critics counter that the proposal, which they call arbitrary, would do nothing to prevent suicide, while burdening individuals who legitimate need the weapon for protection.
Sophomore Addi Kirkland said the trauma of repeated violence at East High in recent months spurred her into joining Friday’s action.
“I need to make sure that I am a priority, that my 9-year-old sister doesn’t have to grow up in this world,” she said, her arm holding her sister close at her side. “I should be able to go to prom and graduation. I should be worrying about my college essays, and I should be worried about what classes I’m going to take next year. I shouldn’t be worried about the fact that my life is on the line.”
Students were still processing the trauma from the shooting that injured two beloved staff members: the school's dean of culture, Eric Sinclair, and Jerald Mason, the restorative practice coordinator.
Senior Patrick Pethybridge said he got to know Sinclair during a spring performance last year.
"He was so kind and generous with the way he opened himself up," Pethybridge said.
Freshman Norah Krause also said the two men are known for making a point of talking to students.
"The deans that were injured, as an East collective, we have acknowledged they are incredible human beings," Krause said. "(Mason is) a caring and supportive individual and so is Mr. Sinclair."
