Saint John’s Prep Students Join Nationwide Walkout in Response to Minneapolis Catholic School Shooting

(KNSI) – Students at Saint John’s Preparatory School will participate in a nationwide student-led walkout today (Friday, September 5th) to honor, remember, and pray for the victims of the recent Annunciation Catholic School shooting.

The Saint John’s Prep walkout will take place on the steps of Saint John’s Abbey Church during the lunch hour. Students will walk silently to the church at noon, coinciding with the daily bells for the abbey’s midday prayer. Three student speakers will deliver short messages, followed by a closing prayer. Students will return to their regular schedule after the 20-minute service.

The Saint John’s Prep walkout aligns with the national Students Demand Action call for schools across the country to walk out on Friday at noon local time. Schools from Georgia to Virginia are participating in the coordinated effort, with students demanding lawmakers take action on gun violence legislation, including bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

Student organizers have encouraged participants to wear orange as a sign of solidarity and support for the cause.

The peaceful demonstration, organized by SJP students in coordination with the national Students Demand Action movement, is in response to the tragic August 27th shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Two children, 8-year-old Fletcher Merkel and 10-year-old Harper Moyski, were killed and 19 others injured when a gunman opened fire during morning Mass.

The Minneapolis shooting occurred just before 8:30 a.m. during a Mass held to mark the first week of classes at Annunciation Catholic School. The attack left two children dead as they sat in pews, while other victims ranged in age from six to 15 years old, along with three adult parishioners in their 80s.

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