Students walked out of class and gathered against gun violence by the Moorpark College library on March 14.
Cassandra Cardoza, the Director of Student Services and Sustainability organized the Moorpark College walkout that attracted hundreds of students.
“I want to see Congress do something,” said Cardoza. “There are so many compromises that can benefit everyone, and I want people to be more educated on the issue.”
The tragic shooting in Parkland where 17 people lost their lives, sparked a nationwide student-led movement. Campuses across the country braced for student walkouts at 10 a.m. on March 14. Many participants call for those in political office to make significant changes to end gun violence on school campuses. At Moorpark College, hundreds of students and faculty met on the grass in front of the library where they listened to student speakers for 17 minutes, in honor of the 17 victims in the Parkland shooting. The walkout was supported by Associated Students and campus administration.
Briana Rodriguez, an 18 year-old student at Moorpark College, supports this movement because she wants the voices of students everywhere to be heard.
“I want people to listen to us,” said Rodriguez.
Cardoza, a 19-year-old environmental science major, recognizes that the National Rifle Association is supported by many businesses. She wants to be more aware of such businesses so she may avoid them. Little changes can lead to significant change, Cardoza said.
Cardoza wanted to make an impact of her own through this event. She handed out orange pins and fliers to all students who came. Eventually, she ran out due to the large than expected turnout.
As students gathered together with their pins and fliers, they heard from Payton Robinson, the president of Associated Students, and Navroop Maan, a student who is passionate about gun control.
Robinson, a 19-year-old communications major, praised campus police and staff in his speech. He later expressed how he wants the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to know that Moorpark College stands with them. He realizes that most high school students cannot vote so he called for Moorpark students to vote and provide a voice for them. On the topic of the political influence of the NRA, he emphasized the importance of unity.
“Yes, the NRA has money, but money can only go so far,” Robinson said. “Students in solidarity have way more power.”
In light of the rate of mass shooting and gun violence in the nation, Maan called for students to empower themselves.
“The unfortunate reality is that we live in a society where we need to prepare ourselves for tragedies like this.” said Maan, “If people in power are not going to help us, then we need to help ourselves.”
Julie Campbell, a psychology professor at Moorpark College also spoke at the event. There she invited students to attend an open forum called “Gun Awareness: An Opportunity to Listen and Share” on March 22.
“Thank you for acting to protect yourselves,” said Campbell. “We support you, your creative ideas, and your endless energy.”
The “Gun Awareness: An Opportunity to Listen and Share” event is coming up March 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. along Raider Walk. This event will give students an opportunity to make their voices heard from both sides of the issue. The main goal of the event is for students to speak and listen in a respectful and insightful environment. Posters will be made and posted with thoughts and feelings of students on the topic of guns, and all students will have an opportunity to write a respectful comment or response to those posters.
