Area youth stage lie-in to spur action on gun violence

Hours after thousands of Richmond County students participated in a school walkout to push Congress to end gun violence, area youth staged a lie-in outside the Augusta office of U.S. Rep. Rick Allen.

Organized by March For Our Lives CSRA, about 15 students laid down on the grassy right-of-way for 17 minutes while hundreds of cars passed by on Interstate 20 and Interstate Parkway. Most of the participants were high school students from Evans, Lakeside and Davidson Fine Arts, although there were some younger pupils.

Davidson senior Brett Green said the lie-in was his first protest, but he was glad to be part of a national movement to raise awareness of the topic of gun violence.

"Already I feel pretty changed, like I'm actually a part of something that could be a part of history," he said. "The topic of gun violence, we want it to be addressed."

Lakeside senior Julia Hadley said she was initially unsure Allen, whose office was hundreds of feet behind them, would notice the effort. As she lay on the grass, she determined she was doing the right thing.

"It felt really good just knowing that we were here supporting a great cause and using our voice," Hadley said.

Columbia County students such as Hadley weren't permitted to leave campus Wednesday in the walkout, but did have three minutes of silent reflection and a discussion about school safety.

Students nationwide have called in various ways for Congress to take action on gun control to prevent mass school killings since 17 students and teachers were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., one month ago.

Davidson senior Jack Chavous said nearly all of his school participated in the optional walkout Wednesday and he felt good about youths expressing themselves as a group.

"Personally, I mostly am protesting against gun violence. I think it's time that change happens," Chavous said. "We are letting people of our generation know that our voices matter as well. "

Abby Brooks, an Evans sophomore and one of the four founders of March For Our Lives CSRA, said the lie-in was a call for positive change.

"We're not here to pick any fights. We're just here to bring people together, hoping for cooperation from Rick Allen to hear us out," she said.

About 15 parents and supporters held signs in support, and two police officers kept watch, saying they were there to ensure the group stayed off the private office property. Accountant Brooke Moore said the youths' message was inspiring.

"I was starting to have a grim outlook on the future, but these kids have brightened it," she said.

No one from Allen's office made an appearance at the lie-in, but a spokesman relayed the message that Allen is "here to take feedback from all my constituents on our nation's laws, and my door and phone lines are always open."

Allen said "thoughtful consideration from constituents" had permitted the House to bring the STOP School Violence Act to pass with bipartisan support Wednesday.

In the first gun-related measure since the Parkland mass shooting, the bill authorizes $50 million a year in U.S. Department of Justice grants for training and other initiatives to enhance school safety, and $25 million for equipment such as metal detectors and stronger locks.

CSRA March For Our Lives is planning a youth march for area students that begins at 4781 Hereford Farm Road in Evans at 10 a.m. March 24.