Minneapolis students let their voices be heard after recent community violence

[anvplayer video=”5034263″ station=”998122″]

“Guns down so we can play,” echoed down Penn Avenue North as Lucy Laney Community School students chanted during a peace march Wednesday afternoon.

A few blocks away, 6-year-old Aniya Allen was shot and later died from her injuries in late May.

Also in the area, Ladavionne Garrett Jr. was also shot last month.

Three children under the age of 10 to be shot in north Minneapolis since last month.

"The kids wanted their voices to be heard, so that’s why we are here today, for the kids’ voices to be heard," said Alcindor Hollie, a fourth-grade teacher.

Hollie’s class had an idea to do a peace march and were joined by every class at the school.

"Some adults are making a mess of the world, so we have to pay a price," said fourth-grader Aarin, who gave a speech during the march. “If we can make peace, I can go outside and not fear for my life.”

"I hope the children feel and know they are loved,” Principal Lisa Pawelak said. “For all of us, we can learn from our children. We can learn from them. We can do better as adults if we listen to what our kids are trying to tell us."

After the peace march ended, some of the students put their signs they made in class on the school’s front lawn with a variety of messages that called for peace and change.