COM Students Join National Walkout to End Gun Violence
At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, students at College of Marin’s Kentfield campus gathered in the Student Services quad to march for 17 minutes in protest of gun violence and a lack of action from the federal government on the issue.
“For many of you, this has been your reality your entire lives,” said COM President David Wain Coon in a speech during the event. “Regardless of your politics—red or blue—your opinion about the Second Amendment, your affiliation or views on the NRA, I hope we can agree that our society must do better.”
The walkout lasted 17 minutes in honor of the 17 victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting.
After marching, students gathered in the cafeteria to hear speeches from several speakers, led by Ismail Azam, president of the Associated Students of College of Marin (ASCOM). Azam was followed by COM police chief Jeff Marozick, COM President David Wain Coon, and Helen Rosen from Moms Demand Action.
“Tweets, Facebook status updates, and prayers are just not sufficient anymore,” said Azam. “Our country's politicians and representatives have failed us time over time to solve America's gun crisis.”
Speakers discussed the history of school shootings and ways to be prepared for a shooting on campus. A video shown at the event demonstrated how subtly a student can plan a school shooting by misleading viewers into focusing on two students, instead of the gun-obsessed teen in the background.
In addition to discussion, a table was set up with petitions to be sent to congresspeople and other political figures urging them to act on the gun crisis, as well as petitions to the CEO of Big 5 requesting that the company cease the sale of assault rifles.
“Perhaps this movement—that was started by students—will finally be the catalyst that leads to real change,” said President Coon.
Chief Marozick also encouraged students to attend the active killer response training on Wednesday, March 28, at 12:30 to 1:30 in the cafeteria.
