DALLAS — Monday was all about action for Wilmer-Hutchins High School students as they staged a walkout to protest gun violence and better school safety.
“We’ve got something to say to Governor Greg Abbott. We need more money, so our security machines can work,” said one student.
The protest is in response to Friday’s shooting in which a student shot another student in the leg. Dallas ISD Police are trying to learn what led to the shooting and how the gun got in the school. The school district said the investigation is ongoing and cannot comment on any other details.
“Nobody wants to keep going through this, man. What do we have to do to make sure this doesn’t happen again?” asked another student.
They shared a video of police sweeping classrooms during Friday’s lockdown before students were released. The image is what students said no school should have to face and why they had to protest.
“They’re trying to make the excuse that we’re missing out on education. We missed out on education when we had a shooting,” said Zakerrah Tyeskie, a student.
WFAA sources confirmed that the shooter went through metal detectors, but there was no secondary check.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened. They bring knives, weed, they bring anything they can get in because they know nobody is going to check their bags,” said Justice Tyeskie. “I get what the principal is saying, ‘safety, safety.’ Now, y'all are worried about safety?”
Students said they are not just speaking up for themselves, but teachers too.
“They put all the blame on the teachers. It’s not their fault. They can’t do everything on their own,” said Marquinton Warner, a student.
Tyree Dean, a teacher, joined students in protest.
“The district needs to do a hell of a lot better keeping these kids safe," said Dean. "Just because their zip code is different doesn't mean you treat them different."
“That elementary school, if it would have happened like that, it would have been a different story, a very different story," said Zakerrah. "Since we’re claimed as ghetto and savage and all of that, it don’t matter.”
It is a feeling Dallas ISD board trustee, Maxie Johnson, said has to change.
“I’m a parent that lost their kid to gun violence. I understand what they’re saying. It may not be popular. People may not like it, but our kids are speaking out,” said Johnson. “Our governor needs to fund the mandates that he’s putting on public education. Fund safety and securities. Stop being obsessed with vouchers.”
“We in school looking around focusing on is this person going to shoot me. Is this person going to shoot me? Who’s the next one? Our mind isn’t set on learning. It’s set on if we’re going to make it home,” said Jamie-Ray Shannon, another student.
Dallas ISD said they communicated with families through calls, texts and letters that “a safe welcoming environment was important to Monday’s return, that STAAR was postponed, and social and emotional learning lessons would be the focus of healing for the day.” Counselors were on hand at the school for students, teachers and staff.