High school students protest gun violence and censorship

(APRIL 14, 2023) High school students in Portland and Canby want to be heard. They have opinions about important issues. So they recently held protests to draw attention to their concerns.

In Portland, hundreds of students left their classes on April 5. They were protesting gun violence in schools. They marched downtown. They held signs with messages. They gave speeches. They want government leaders to take action.

“I care that I have to think about going to school and dying, I have to think about my brother going to school and dying,” said one student. “I have to think about not coming home today.”

According to Oregon Public Broadcasting, the student asked: “Why do you only care that it should be your right to own a gun? Why do you not care that it should be our right to live?”

In Canby High School, about 30 students held a lunchtime demonstration in front of the school on March 22. They were protesting censorship. They were responding to the removal of 36 books from the school. Two parents had complained that the books were too controversial. The books include famous and popular stories written primarily by Black, Latina, and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer) authors.  

“Students need to see representation in books with LGBTQ and Black characters, so they know that they are not alone,” senior Avery Keinomen said during an interview with The Oregonian newspaper. “Banning books inherently limits that knowledge."