Students, Educators and Supporters to Take Part  in National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools

BURLINGAME – California Teachers Association members and leaders joined by elected officials and community supporters will take part in multiple statewide events on Friday, April 20, demanding that action be taken to end the school shootings that have been devastating American schools. The National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools, organized by the Network for Public Education, CTA and the National Education Association on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school massacre, sends a strong, unified message to politicians urging them to take measures to address safety indefinitely.

“Educators are united in saying ‘No More’ to the gun violence that has senselessly injured or taken the lives of too many students and too many school staff members, some of whom have bravely sacrificed themselves to shield their students from harm,” said CTA President Eric Heins. “Words and condolences from policy makers are not enough. It’s time for common-sense gun laws. We demand action and we demand it now! Our students and their families deserve nothing less.”

Inspired by the courageous students in Parkland, Florida and across the nation, the broad coalition of teachers, education support professionals, parents, students, community groups, gun violence groups and social activists are pushing back against flawed proposals like arming school staff members, and demanding real solutions to the problem, and real resources that teachers need for students to succeed.

Friday’s events are part of a national movement growing in the wake of the February 14 Parkland, Florida school shooting. There have been 33 school shootings in California since Columbine, resulting in 51 deaths and 136 injuries. A total of 1,300 children in the United States die every year from gunshot wounds, and an additional 6,000 suffer gunshot wounds. Educators are calling for sensible gun laws and other measures to protect their students.

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES:

Below is a partial list of California events; for more locations and event-related resources visit www.cta.org/nomore.

Richmond: CTA President Eric Heins, Assemblymember Tony Thurmond and Senator Nancy Skinner will join teachers, students and administrators for a solidarity “walk-in” at Verde Elementary School. There have been eight shootings in seven days, three of them involving students. United Teachers of Richmond teachers say “no more” and demand change in gun laws. They will carry posters saying bullets are not school supplies. 8:00 a.m., 2000 Giaramita St., Richmond.

Northridge: CTA Vice President Theresa Montaño will join students and her fellow CSUN faculty members, as well as neighboring high school students and community members, for a Speak Out Against Gun Violence rally where supporters will march from the university’s Oviatt Library to Matador Square. After the march, participants will phone bank lawmakers and demand that action be taken. 2:00 p.m., 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge.

San Bernardino: CTA Secretary-Treasurer David Goldberg will join students and educators at Arroyo Valley High School for an assembly and student-led walkout honoring gun violence victims and calling for action. 10:00 a.m., 1881 W. Baseline Dr., San Bernardino.

In an event later Friday, students and educators will walk out in a citywide movement against gun violence and demand that political leaders invest in resources for students. 3:00 p.m., San Bernardino Community SDA Church, 1696 N. G St., San Bernardino.

Thousand Oaks: The Unified Association of Conejo Teachers will demonstrate against gun violence and raise issue awareness for area commuters. 3:45 p.m., intersection of Moorpark Rd. and Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Fremont: Teachers and students will stage a “walk-in” in solidarity at American High School. They are encouraging educators to record an #ArmMeWith video at stories.cta.org/armmewith/. Using the hashtag #ArmMeWith, educators are encouraged to propose other resources they’d rather be armed with instead of guns, such as books, art and music programs, nurses and school counselors. 7:30 a.m., American High School, 36300 Fremont Blvd., Fremont.

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The 325,000-member California Teachers Association is
affiliated with the 3 million-member National Education Association