After a shooting injured one student outside of East High School last week, a teacher and two students addressed the Denver City Council Tuesday, sharing their fears of gun violence in and around schools and asking for school resource officers to be re-instated in Denver Public Schools.

They spoke during the public hearing portion of the City Council’s regular meeting.

Feb. 13, a 16-year-old student, identified as Luis Garcia was injured in a as he sat in his car. As of Wednesday, he remains in critical condition, according to Denver Gazette media partner 9News.

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As the country, state and city continue to struggle to address gun violence, East High students begged for action. With the background filled with children wearing “students demand action” shirts, Teo Tullar and Ezekiel Lubin spoke to the 13 members of council. Tullar and Lubin said continued gun violence in and around schools will “not be accepted.” 

“We’re scared and horrified and terrified of all these of these actions, but we’re not shocked by gun violence anymore,” Lubin said. “These are the schools that your children will grow up going to. Your children. We will grow into into young adults, much like we are today.”

He challenged city council members to think of their legacy as well as student safety. Lubin asked if they’d rather be remembered as those who sat idly by as more children are killed – or be the one to take a stand against gun violence and youth violence. 

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Another student, Teo Tullar, said students do not want to be at school because they do not feel safe. Tullar challenged the council to do something. 

“We can’t be the ones headlining this,” he said. “We are the ones who have to comply and we have to go to school, and we are not able to do anything to defend ourselves.”

Students were not the only ones to speak up about gun violence outside of East. Noah Kaplan is a former East High School teacher and a lifelong resident of Denver. He showed up to stand and speak in solidarity with Garcia and his classmates. 

Kaplan demanded tangible steps and action from Denver Public Schools, the city council and the school board to increase student safety. He told the council he is tired of having the same discussions with children who’s classmates are touched by gun violence.  

“I am so tired of having to explain to children why we need to set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the livelihoods of their classmates families,” he said. “These children are here today because they are tired of asking for help. We are demanding action.”

DPS officials removed school resources officers two years ago. 

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