SoCal Students Join Nationwide Walkout For Florida School Shooting Victims

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA/AP) — Thousands of students across Southern California walked out of their classes Wednesday morning as part in honor of 17 people killed in a Florida school shooting and to end gun violence.

Students at Eagle Rock Junior/Senior High School in Los Angeles stood outside as the names of the victims of the Parkland massacre were read over a loud speaker.

Some students hugged each other while others held up signs demanding gun reform.

Eighth-grader Kristian Crisolo wanted to pay his respects to the victims in Florida.

"I feel angry because schools are not protecting us as much anymore," Crisolo said. "Last year and this year, there were more school shootings than there were a few years ago."

When asked if he feels safe at school, Crisolo surveyed the display of names and flowers on the school's field meant to honor the Florida victims.

"After how many kids died, I'm not sure anymore," he said.

In Orange County, students at Saddleback High School in Santa Ana marched out to the campus track and ringed around 17 of their classmates, who released 17 balloons containing the names of each victim, according to Deidra Powell of the Sana Ana Unified School District.

"You could hear a pin drop, no talking, no moving," Powell said.

Several other similar demonstrations took part around Southern California.

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