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March For Our Lives: Students protest gun violence at Arizona Capitol

Valley students protest gun violence
Posted at 9:25 AM, Apr 20, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-21 21:12:34-04

High school student from across metro Phoenix walked out of school and some held a "die-in" at the state Capitol in the latest protest against gun violence.

Friday's planned events by the Phoenix March for Our Lives group was held on the anniversary of the 1999 school shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado.

The group was one of many organized by students across the nation following the Valentine Day's shooting that killed 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

JAMIE HOROWITZ/PINNACLE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR

"We are frustrated beyond belief that our Governor, even though we've sent him letters, we've stayed in his office, we have called him, he refuses to meet with us. There are legislators in both the House and the Senate that refuse to talk to us. We just want a conversation," said Jamie Horowitz, a senior at Pinnacle High School. "We are just kids. As much as people say we're so articulate, we're are just kids and we are afraid. We want to create change, we also want more counselors in our schools."

Counter-protesters from Patriot Movement Arizona were also in attendance at the Capitol.

"The kids need to know that people kill people. Guns don't kill people," said Jennifer Harrison, with Patriot Movement Arizona.

Students are pushing for Gov. Doug Ducey to call a special session to pass gun violence legislation and include them in negotiations for school safety proposals.