Whitefish Bay High School students participate in nationwide walkout protesting gun violence

WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Two days after the deadly school shooting in Texas, students across the country are walking out of classrooms to protest gun violence and what they saw is inaction from lawmakers that allow the mass shootings to continue. One demonstration took place at Whitefish Bay High School. 

Students walked out of class shortly after 11 a.m. 

HAPPENING NOW: Students at Whitefish Bay High School are participating in a walkout protesting gun violence in schools. @CBS58pic.twitter.com/HaeOldRQCC

— Emerson Lehmann (@ELehmannTV) May 26, 2022

The students gathered at the football field where student speakers addressed their classmates. 

Meanwhile, community members showed support outside the field. 

"I want to support students because they came out here clearly stating they don't want to live in a country or a city that allows guns to go unregulated," said Roberta Thurstin-Timmerman, a Milwaukee native who stood outside the school grounds supporting the students. "So proud of these young people who come out and say 'We're tired of this. We want this to end.'"

Mariella Boudreau is a senior at Whitefish Bay High School and helped organize the walkout. She says it's important for students to use their voice to advocate for change they hope to see. 

"We as a generation are typically the ones most affected by this issue, but we have the least say when it comes to impacting legislation and our representatives," Boudreau said. "We are not helpless. We are not hopeless. We have voices. Being able to rally together and really speak out our minds makes the most difference." 

Tuesday's shooting in Uvalde was the 27th school shooting this year. 

Wednesday, the state's largest teacher's union, the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (MTEA), hosted a rally addressing gun violence.