The STEM School students walked out of a vigil honoring Kendrick Castillo, saying that anti-gun groups were trying to politicize the memorial for their classmate. Castillo died after he jumped in front of the gunman to protect other students,
as a student there we did not. we were there to mourn our classmates and school. They came up and started ranting about gun control and forced STEM kids out
— lucy sarkissian (@sarkissian_lucy) May 9, 2019
Moms Demand Action's Laura Reeves heavily politicizes the STEM School Highlands Ranch vigil:
-Blames NRA
-Demonizes pro-gun politicians
-Advocates working to elect Democrats
-Tells students to register voters, stage walkouts, raise $$$, & use social media to promote gun control pic.twitter.com/YlY3VaXWp8— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 9, 2019
Frustrated, crying and angry, #STEMschool shooting victims hold an impromptu vigil in the rain Wednesday after leaving a gun-control vigil they felt inappropriately politicized their trauma. (They asked that I not photograph their faces close up, and I respected their wishes.) pic.twitter.com/cksRXGtYQA
— Trevor Hughes (@TrevorHughes) May 9, 2019
According to USA Today, the event was organized by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and two Democrats spoke at the event, pushing the need for federal action on gun violence.
From USA Today:
After about 30 minutes, hundreds of students from the STEM School stormed out yelling “this is not for us,” “political stunt” and “we are people, not a statement.”
Outside, the traumatized shooting survivors thrust lighted cellphones into the air and chanted “mental health, mental health,” as their hands and voices shook in the cold rain. Angry students pushed and screamed at journalists, demanding to see photos they had taken.
Students at a vigil for the STEM School shooting in Highlands Ranch reportedly walked out of the event after Democrat politicians Jason Crow and Michael Bennet made remarks and students said the tragedy was being politicized.
Outside, students chanted: "Mental health!" pic.twitter.com/sQpTfAUWCs
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 9, 2019
Daily Wire reporter Ryan Saavedra said on Twitter that he spoke to some students on the phone and they “became furious after listening to a woman from the far-left gun control group Moms Demand Action, who was heavily politicizing the tragedy.”
I am speaking to a student right now on the phone who was at the STEM School shooting vigil in Highlands Ranch and he says that the students became furious after listening to a woman from the far-left gun control group Moms Demand Action, who was heavily politicizing the tragedy: https://t.co/Md1p9ZkJ49
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) May 9, 2019
Some later said they didn’t want to be used to promote gun control.
STEM School students walked out of a vigil tonight after @RepJasonCrow & @SenatorBennet spoke. Students said their grief was being politicized. They later returned, took the mic, and some said they didn't want to be used to promote gun control. #copolitics #9NEWS
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) May 9, 2019
Kids walk out of the STEM vigil because it was politicized by Democrats.
These students know the gun control debate is BS and mental health is the real issue.
I am proud of these kids for realizing the right issues! #FixIt pic.twitter.com/UXcAogubby
— Andrew Pollack (@AndrewPollackFL) May 9, 2019
Parents and students Tweeted their frustrations with the anti-gun groups, saying they just wanted to remember their classmate.
I was there. It was a TOTAL ANTI-GUN political rally run by adults. And a free political speech for Jason Crow and Michael Bennett. STEM students walked out in protest & then they came back in and took the microphone from the activists. They were righteous and they were awesome!
— Habakkuk Girl (@HabakkukGirl) May 9, 2019
My son attends Stem and ran out of the building yesterday. He wanted to attend the vigil tonight because we thought there would be some peace and togetherness. Instead it was a political event hosted by Team Enough to advance their agenda. Deeply troubling for the community.
— Jeff Doser (@JeffDoser) May 9, 2019