OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — Students at Skyline High School in Oakland where John Beam taught and coached football before moving to Laney walked out of class on Tuesday, calling for an end to gun violence.
The protest comes after a 15-year-old Skyline student survived being shot on campus last Wednesday — two juveniles are now in custody.
Still shaken but empowered, more than 100 Skyline High School students walked out of class to demand change following Wednesday’s shooting on campus.
“Sad to be honest. To have to do this to have to protest for our safety – it shouldn’t have to be this way,” said Chionesu Mayfield, a senior at Skyline High School.
Students shared the chaotic moments of uncertainty inside the high school as they were placed lockdown last week.
“It was very scary not knowing what was going on,” said Nayo Mayfield, a student Skyline student.
MORE: Coach John Beam voiced concerns about Laney College safety a day before shooting
Wednesday’s shooting led to what students say was the third lockdown this year at Skyline High School.
“Justice to stop violence to stop crimes in general,” said Katherine Naranjo, Junior at Skyline student.
A tough realization of the need for more safety measures, which junior Blake Rogers said pushed her to organize this walkout an action supported by students at nearby Bishop O’Dowd High School, where students gathered at the flagpole.
“What do you hope changes after today?” ABC7 News reporter Luz Pena asked.
“I really hope for the district starts listening to students concerns and student voices and start taking our safety more seriously instead of putting of Band-Aids on it,” said Blake Rogers, a Skyline High School junior.
Rogers had many of her classmates answer a survey which found the main need is more transparency. Rogers says administrators did not initially convey the magnitude of what was happening the day of the shooting.
MORE: Student shot at Oakland’s Skyline High School; 2 suspects in custody, police say
“They got on the mic and definitely seemed stressed out and scared and told us a medical emergency was happening, and we were safe on campus,” said Rogers.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s office confirmed two juveniles with ghost guns were arrested after Wednesday’s shooting, both remain in custody.
The victim is recovering. One day after the shooting at Skyline High School, many of the students experienced the same fear again this time at Laney College.
“The Skyline students were on a field trip at Laney College on the day that coach Beam was killed. So, they had lockdowns two days in a row that is unacceptable,” said Ursula Jones Dickson, Alameda County District Attorney.
Many protested to demand safety, but also marching to remember the life of coach John Beam.
“Was there any safety? Was there security? He advocated for Laney to have security at their school, but did he get any? No, and did he have to pay for it with his life? He didn’t have to,” said Kennedy Wiley, Junior Skyline student.
We contacted the Oakland Unified School district for their response to the students’ claims and the walkout and are still waiting for a response.
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