BURLINGAME – California Teachers Association President Eric C. Heins issued the following statement in support of students across the state and nation who held gun violence protests and moments of silence today to honor the 17 victims of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida:

“Thousands of students in California and across the nation took action today to make social change by focusing on stopping gun violence and keeping our schools safe. California’s educators proudly stand with the goals of this student-inspired call to action, but also made sure that students today had safe venues and activities to make their rising voices heard. Displays of campus unity added to the powerful messages. It’s time for Congress to listen to our kids and our communities and approve some commonsense gun laws to keep our students and public schools safe.

“Today also helped set the stage for the students’ ‘March For Our Lives’ protests in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere on March 24, and the National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools on April 20, which CTA members and communities are involved in. By protecting our students from further attacks, we are also protecting the future of our state and nation. Enough is enough!”

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