Coachella Valley students protest for gun reforms

Students around the Coachella Valley took part in demonstrations remembering the 17 lost in the Florida school shooting one month ago. They also protested gun violence saying it could happen anywhere to anyone. And that the time for change is now.

“I feel like it’s time for our generation to stand up and do something,” said Anthony Pacheco, a senior at Cathedral City High School.

Pacheco was one of hundreds taking part in a memorial for the Florida school shooting victims. Embracing one another, some wearing orange raising awareness about gun violence.

Read: Local students take part in national school walkout

“Gun violence is a real thing. and it is serious. and people need to be taking it seriously,” said Lida Nguyen, a junior at Cathedral City High School.

“Nobody should ever be afraid to go outside. They shouldn’t even think the slightest if I’m going to be gunshot down,” said Daniela Banderas, a sophomore at Cathedral City High School

Other supporters like longtime Los Angeles teacher Hubertus Zegers said he also believes the time is right for students to stand up.

“Don’t stand by the sidelines. Do something and again, if you say something, do something,” Zegers said.

The same goes for students at La Quinta and Coachella Valley High Schools who want to see change and are ready to help make it happen.

“School shootings still go on in the world and the majority of the people that believe that gun control shouldn’t happen, they’re basically just ignoring it,” said Roman Lopez, a sophomore at Coachella Valley High School.

“Students remember to go out there and remember to take action. Don’t let them dictate your future because we are the future,” Angie Soria, senior at La Quinta High School.

Some CCHS students said they’ll be following the “March for Our Lives” demonstration in Washington D.C. set for March 24.