Students and educators from across the state gathered at East Hartford High School Thursday and called for change in the wake of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people were killed.
“We feel we have a special obligation to raise our voices in the aftermath,” said Fran Rabinowitz, executive director of the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents.
Rabinowitz outlined the actions those in attendance would like to see.
The group called for sensible gun laws, school security investments and effective treatment for disturbed individuals at risk of committing violent acts. Following the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, education leaders said the state did take strong steps, but more is needed.
“Connecticut is proud of its efforts to protect our children and our teachers, but obviously it is not enough,” said Shelia Cohen, president of the Connecticut Education Association.
East Hartford High School students are also standing with their Parkland peers.
“Seeing the students go through this and seeing how strong they were to come out of something like that and just want to make a change, makes me want to help them make a change,” said senior Hannah Rivera.
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The Connecticut Education Association is coordinating a day of statewide walk-ins on Thursday, March 14.
While walkouts are being planned nationwide, Cohen said they will not walk out on their schools but instead gather in solidarity.
