BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Days after a deadly shooting at a home football game, Independence High School students walked out of class to protest gun violence and demand stronger security measures on campus.
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Students said they are still shaken after Friday’s shooting.
KBAK Independence High School Walkout
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“A lot of people were crying that day and I was super worried and because my sister was stuck then she couldn’t get out,” one student said.
Another added, “I didn’t even want to come to school.”
During the walkout, students held homemade signs memorializing Levi Brown and calling for changes, including metal detectors.
“If we had metal detectors, they had our school at Friday night. The guns wouldn’t have made it in and nothing would have happened,” a student said. “This commotion would have been outside of the school and it would have been noticed sooner. And I’m pretty sure they could have prevented it very easily.”
Students also raised concerns about how the school responded during the incident, saying there was confusion and a lack of direction.
“There was no plan. We filed onto this one staircase. There was no plan. I feel that everybody there was more injured due to the stampede than the actual shot,” a student said.
Some students directed their frustration at the Kern High School District, with signs asking, “Who has failed Levi Brown?” and answering, “Kern High District.”
Students said they hope the walkout leads to changes.
“Hopefully us speaking our minds gets us more protections,” one student said.
Another issue students raised was the district’s crackdown on cell phone use. Many believed it could leave students unable to contact family during an emergency.
“Kern High School District doesn’t take weapons as seriously as they take the phone policy,” one student said.
Another added, “The school district cares more about phones than gun violence.”
One student called for the phone policy to be reversed, saying it could prevent students from reaching loved ones during a crisis.
“Seriously think they should take away the phone policy. They’ve [implemented] it since last year. They easily take away the phones. If a school student were to happen, we wouldn’t be able to contact our family,” the student said.
Eyewitness News reached out to Kern High School District, who responded with the following statement:
“The Kern High School District is aware of a student-organized walkout at Independence that took place earlier today related to Friday evening’s events. The protest was monitored by both school staff and police officials. The walkout concluded peacefully and students returned safely to class.”