Thousands of students across the United States walked out of class on Wednesday in a protest demanding stricter gun control laws in the country. The theme of the protests was ‘enough’ – enough violence and killing due to a lack of control over the spread and abuse of firearms in the U.S. The #ENOUGH National School Walkout was intended to pressure federal and state lawmakers to tighten laws on gun ownership despite opposition by the National Rifle Association (NRA), the powerful gun rights advocacy group.

Students walked out from schools across the U.S., from schools in California to the East Coast. They were heard chanting, ‘Enough,’ “No more silence” and “We want change.” Students also protested in front of the White House, laying down empty footwear on the lawns surrounding the President’s office in a symbol of the thousands of lives lost to firearms every year in the U.S.

The protests are part of a movement that gained momentum after the killing of 17 people (school children and teachers) in Parkland, Florida by an armed ex-student in February this year. The protesters called on lawmakers to do something before another school falls victim to gun violence.

The CNN reported that in Parkland, Florida, Stoneman Douglas students rose before sunrise to place hundreds of pinwheels around campus to mark the anniversary. A quote from the environmentalist for whom the school is named hung on a sign near the school, telling students to "be a nuisance when it counts."

American historians said the demonstrations were shaping up to be one of the largest youth protests in decades. The walkouts drew support from companies including media conglomerate Viacom, which planned to pause programming on MTV, BET and all its other networks for 17 minutes during the walkouts.

Students have also received support from parents to walk out of class and many school administrations gave their blessings to the walkouts, but others said anyone who participated would face discipline.

Other protests planned in coming weeks include the March for Our Lives rally for school safety, which organizers say is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to the nation's capital on March 24. Another round of school walkouts is planned for April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High shooting in Colorado.

What Students Want

Initially organized by the Women's March youth branch, the National Student Walkout demanded three key actions from Congress:

- Ban assault weapons;

- Require universal background checks before gun sales;

- Pass a gun violence restraining order law that would allow courts to disarm people who display warning signs of violent behavior.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 15, 2018 12:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).