WIMBERLEY, Texas —In the wake of the Florida school shooting, students have taken hold of the debate over gun control.

Huge crowds are expected in Washington on Saturday for the March for Our Lives rally, and in Texas, students are planning similar anti-gun violence demonstrations all across the state.

The movement of student activism has been rampant ever since a gunman walked into a Florida School and killed 17 people.

But for many, a question remains: Will this new social movement bring about change?

Wimberley High School Sophomore Gabi Perez hopes it at least sparks a discussion about school safety.

"I knew that we could be next at our school," Perez said.  

​Friday, Perez is leading a student walkout, hoping to send a signal to lawmakers in Austin and Washington that young people care about gun control, and want action.  

“I think it’s terrible that the place that we’re supposed to be learning and creating ourselves as future adults is the place ultimately that can be the most fatal for us,” Perez said. ​

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Perez only expects about 40 or so of her classmates to walk out with her, but she believes the message will still be powerful.

"You can't just shut us up anymore," Perez said. "We're here and we're not going away any time soon."

UT Austin Government Professor Shannon Bow O'Brien said lawmakers should expect young activists to start showing up at the ballot box as well.

"I think it's ill-advised to discount students," O'Brien said. "If they think this matters, they'll participate."

O'Brien said student activism has helped prompt change throughout American history, from the civil rights movement to anti-Vietnam-war protests. But O'Brien says this generation is different in one major way.

"We've fed them a diet of young people standing up for what they believe in in their media as well," O'Brien said. "Why would we be surprised if that's what they're doing?"

And for Perez and her peers who plan to walk out on Friday, a belief that their time is now.

"It's the time to listen to students concerns," Perez said.