Students in Rochester and around the country participated in the National School Walkout on Wednesday. 

Over 100 students from Rochester’s School No. 58 World of Inquiry marched to MLK Memorial Park to have their voices heard. They were escorted by police officers and teachers.

“I have a lot of family members that have passed away because of gun violence,” said Fairis Freeman, a 10^th Grader at School 58. “I want their voices and those of the people in Florida to be heard."

Protesters used the event to call for new gun regulations and to establish a ban on assault weapons.

Students at Brighton High School began planning their walkout over the February break. At 10 a.m., hundreds of students left their books behind and exited the building. They gathered on a snow-covered football field as student-leaders read the names of victims from the Florida school shooting.

"I think it was pretty powerful. It was just really important to us to use this event as a way to give awareness to what happens in our country but also to remember the victims," said Maya Spadoni, a student. 

Before students returned to class, classmates urged one another to keep the conversation going and to remember that their voices count.

The nationwide protest marked a month since 17 people were killed by a gunman at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.