Burlingame, CA…California Teachers Association members and leaders joined by elected officials and community supporters will take part in multiple statewide events on Friday, April 20, demanding that action be taken to end the school shootings that have been devastating American schools. The National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools, organized by the Network for Public Education, CTA and the National Education Association on the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school massacre, sends a strong, unified message to politicians urging them to take measures to address safety indefinitely.

“Educators are united in saying ‘No More’ to the gun violence that has senselessly injured or taken the lives of too many students and too many school staff members, some of whom have bravely sacrificed themselves to shield their students from harm,” said CTA President Eric Heins. “Words and condolences from policy makers are not enough. It’s time for common-sense gun laws. We demand action and we demand it now! Our students and their families deserve nothing less.”

Inspired by the courageous students in Parkland, Florida and across the nation, the broad coalition of teachers, education support professionals, parents, students, community groups, gun violence groups and social activists are pushing back against flawed proposals like arming school staff members, and demanding real solutions to the problem, and real resources that teachers need for students to succeed.

Friday’s events are part of a national movement growing in the wake of the February 14 Parkland, Florida school shooting. There have been 33 school shootings in California since Columbine, resulting in 51 deaths and 136 injuries. A total of 1,300 children in the United States die every year from gunshot wounds, and an additional 6,000 suffer gunshot wounds. Educators are calling for sensible gun laws and other measures to protect their students.