On Nov. 28, more than 80 students at King Middle School gathered outside the school carrying signs advocating for gun control. The student-led rally followed the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston. In a report by NewsCenter Channel 6, students said they felt that the shooting could have been prevented and they want to stop such a tragedy from happening again.

After gathering on the school lawn, students marched to the sidewalk along Park Avenue, where passing traffic could see them, waving their signs and chanting slogans that included “Protect kids, not guns,” and “What do we want? Gun Control! When do we want it? Now!” Drivers in passing vehicles honked and waved in support.

The demonstration was organized by two eighth-graders and included not only eighth-graders but students in sixth and seventh grades as well. Students who wanted to participate in the event had to write an explanation of why they wanted to join the rally. They then prepared their posters for this important event, where committed young people were advocating to make their communities safer for all.