Dunbar Students March for Their Lives

Earlier this morning, Dunbar students took part in the March for Our Lives protest in which they left class and reported to the gym for 17 minutes to protest congressional inaction in the aftermath of recent school shootings. The protest was supported and attended by school administration and faculty members.

Rohan Palla

On March 14, schools and other organizations around the nation participated in the March for our Lives walkout to protest congressional inaction on issues of violence, particularly in schools.

Dunbar’s walkout was held in the gym and organized by junior Abigail Wheatley. The event was livestreamed by WLEX 18 news.

The protest began with a speech explaining the purpose of the walkout.

“We want Congress to pay attention. We want more than thoughts and prayers. We want action. The inaction of individuals in positions of power has put us in danger. It’s time for us to pressure to make things better, before they get worse,” said Wheatley. “This is not about one person’s voice. It’s about all of our voices together… You’re here because, like me, you care. You are here to say ‘Enough. Do something. Never again.’”

Following the introduction, junior Pearl Robinson read the names of students and teachers who were killed in 2018 in the Marshall County, Parkland, and Birmingham shootings.

Navigate Left
Navigate Right

  • A group of students watch the “What If” video shown during the walk out.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Junior Nunu Vorkpor and Senior Kaelyn Payton stand and start student led a chant.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Senior Jonathan Kissick holds a sign stating, “Never Again”.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Seniors Katy Rucker and Mackenzie McConnell along with Junior Jenna McCauley chant and hold a sign.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Junior Daisy Garner listens while holding a “What if?” sign.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Students chant, “Stop the guns, stop the violence, Kentucky kids, will not be silenced”.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Junior Abigail Wheatley speaks about her personal fears and concerns regarding school.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Sophomore Jaycee Castro read an original poem title, “I Know What Terror Is”.

    Remy Milburn
    '

  • Junior Pearl Robinson reads the names of the 20 people who died this year from school shootings.

    Remy Milburn
    '

Sophomore Jaycee Castro requested a moment of silence for those students, and then she read an original poem titled “I Know What Terror is” which criticized  lawmakers who “would rather see dead children than change legislation.”

The students then turned towards the screen to watch a video produced by PLD Lamplighter editor, Rohan Palla, hosting student testimonials centered around the question “What If?” and implored lawmakers to “Do something.”

As students, teachers and administrators alike prepared to return to their classes, students chanted “Stop the violence. Stop the violence. Kentucky students won’t be silenced.”

Overall, students found the event to be successful.

“I thought it was very good, very moving, and I’m proud that our school and district allowed it,” said sophomore Mason Curtis. “It wasn’t polarized by any political agenda.”

Wheatley said that the message for the event was simply for Congress–both Republicans and Democrats–to do something.

“I decided to organize because I wanted to speak up for those that didn’t want to or couldn’t. It was an interesting experience that was difficult at some points, but we made it happen.”