100+ HFC students join National School Walkout
“Over the past 8-10 years, we kept hearing about these mass school shootings,” said Worth. “When’s it gonna stop? I have had friends who have died in these shootings. It hurts. It hurts all of us. We must stand together and unite, we can make a change. All we have to do is look into ourselves and have the courage to say this is wrong.”
About 100 HFC students, faculty, and staff joined their voices in a show of solidarity with many across America during the National School Walkout March 14.
The rally, hosted just outside of the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center (Bldg. F) on HFC’s main campus, called for an end to gun violence and paid tribute to the victims at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL on Feb. 14 when former student Nikolas Cruz entered the high school and opened fire, killing 17.
Gary Woronchak, HFC alumnus and member of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, spoke at the rally.
“Enough! Enough! Enough of the lack of action by Congress, by our state legislature on simple, common sense changes that can make us all safer!” said Woronchak. “Enough of the Second Amendment being held up as some force field! That even the suggestion of any restrictions on firearms – it is not an attack on the Second Amendment to suggest using some logic in its application…. If we truly hold our founding fathers in such high reverence, there’s no reason we shouldn’t apply a little common sense to the Second Amendment.”
Woronchak said he attended HFC in a far more innocent time than students today. His greatest worry was not having enough quarters for the pinball machine. Today, students have to worry about active shooters on campuses.
“These mass shootings – whether at a school, a church, or an outdoor concert – just cannot go on. We all have a stake in this issue. Sad to say, what happened in Florida is not uncommon. But there is something different this time. Maybe, just maybe, this is the time that we really do say, ‘Enough’! And when I say ‘we,’ I really mean you!” explained Woronchak, who pointed to several students in attendance.
“Because it’s the young people – not just in Florida, but across the country and right here in Dearborn – standing up and demanding change,” he said.
In the last month, many companies have cut ties with the National Rifle Association – something previously unheard of, according to Woronchak.
So what’s different now, in the wake of the Parkland tragedy?
“The young people! The young people are demanding change. The young people are the voters of the future,” said Woronchak. “Great, historic changes have been brought about by people standing together in the face of resistance to say ‘Enough!’ Just like you are doing today. You are making a difference today, but you can’t stop. You have to make a difference tomorrow and the day after, and the day after that. Make the change you want because it’s your country. The kind of country it will be is entirely up to you. Thank you so much for making your voices heard today.”
Woronchak ended his speech to thunderous applause and loud cheers. There was a moment of silence for the 17 victims of the Parkland tragedy.
At that point, students and faculty took their turn at the podium, making their voices heard. Among them was student Spencer Worth, of Dearborn, who’s studying education at HFC.
“Over the past 8-10 years, we kept hearing about these mass school shootings,” said Worth. “When’s it gonna stop? I have had friends who have died in these shootings. It hurts. It hurts all of us. We must stand together and unite, we can make a change. All we have to do is look into ourselves and have the courage to say this is wrong.”