Over 40 Pleasantville High School and Middle School students ranging from 7th-12th grades participated in the National Walkout Friday for school safety.

The walkout lasted for 17 minutes to commemorate the 17 students killed in Parkland, Florida with a moment of silence in memory of the students killed at Columbine. Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 28 Ann Fields also showed up to the event to congratulate the students for the walkout. High School student organizers of the event Kendra Robbins, Josie Houser, Samantha Homer, and Allison Norris tell KNIA/KRLS News of the message they wanted to send

Kendra
“President Trump had a plan to arm school teachers, and I am totally against that. I came out here today because I had heard from those in the school that wanted to come out here but couldn’t so I am here for them and myself.”

Josie
“We’re just out here trying to make a difference. My motto is if not me, then who, and if not now, when. I am going to complain about a problem but not willing to make a change, then what right do I have to say about it.”

Samantha
“I just want people to understand that if we have an issue with something we are going to speak up about it, and we are trying to make a change about something that is important to us.”

Allison
“It is important to voice your opinion and be active in the community and politics because we live here so we might as well participate. So it’s good to be out here showing what we believe in and making sure students have the information they need to vote.”

Middle School Organizer Emma Danks also had this to say about her fellow students

Emma
“A lot of students didn’t know that this was about helping students affected by gun violence. They thought this was about taking guns away, but we don’t want to do that, we just want more control to get a gun so there are less shootings.”

Schools from across the United States participated in the walkout.