by ALEX CORTEZ | Staff Writer | [email protected]

The Black Student Union organized a May 2 walkout on City College in which 14 schools in the greater Sacramento Area participated in to spread awareness about gun reform and police brutality.

According to BSU’s Secretary and Social Media Coordinator Mya Worko, the walkout began at City College’s quad between the Learning Resource Center and the City Cafe at 10 a.m., where BSU leaders waited for other members and students to gather until marching to the City College Light Rail Station.

“We just want to come together, go at the Crocker Art Museum, then go to the bridge, then the Capitol—hold hands and unite as one,” said Worko the morning of the march.

Worko also spoke about the six pillars the March for Our Lives Too walkout stood for: criminalizing deadly force, having independent investigations of deadly use of force, demilitarizing the police, having more police accountability, training for mental health crises, and having police build better relationships with Sacramento communities.

Jamarea Austin, a construction major and BSU consultant, stood up about 10:30 and gave directions for those in attendance, explaining that they group would take light rail to 8th and Capitol and walk to the Crocker Art Museum.

“This march is about gun reform for police officers because for too long we have seen unjust murders in our communities, for too long we have not brought up the topic of how we should go about changing those rules in this country,” said Austin.

On the way to the light rail, BSU members chanted, “You shoot us down, we shut you down!” and for most of the march, the chants were lead by BSU Ambassador Kevin Robinson. When the group got to the light rail station, the chants stopped as BSU leaders made sure everyone had a light rail ticket.

BSU President Joshua Robinson said organizing a walkout takes patience and consistency.

“[It takes] consistency because it’s not as simple as just sending out flyers and letting people know,” said Robinson, “[and] patience is because even when there are not a lot people participating, it’s best to be patient and continue to do the work until the momentum grows.”

Robinson also said that students who didn’t participate should feel free to come to the next march, though the group does not have a date set yet.

Once at the Crocker Art Museum, the crowd grew to about 70 people, from the 50 who joined at the start, all of whom took chalk and wrote the names of people who were killed by police on the sidewalk. After people were given water, snacks or used the bathrooms, the march proceeded to the Tower Bridge.

Marchers continued to acknowledge the names of those killed by police at the Tower Bridge by shouting the names of 100 people, in increments of 10 each, which was followed by a shout of “ashé.” (so it shall be).

After each group of 10 names, two groups of three people stood on each side of the bridge and poured water with red coloring symbolizing the blood of the fallen, and when the last 10 names were shouted, they poured the last of the “blood.”

From this point on, marchers made their way to the Capitol, chanting as they walked through the streets. Finally at their destination, marchers united holding hands on the steps of the Capitol, held a prayer and sung the Black National Anthem.

While at the steps, Robinson, recited the six pillars that the March for Our Lives Too was built upon with the help of a Sacramento High Student who spoke about the fourth and fifth pillars.

Stephon Clark’s grandmother, Gequita Thompson, also attended the march and said that it was wonderful to see the younger generation marching and raising awareness about ongoing issues.

“The young people are out. It’s a great fight and I’m proud of them,” said Thompson. “All these children here is a blessing”