YPSILANTI, MI - Shortly after walking out of class in protest of gun violence Wednesday, March 14, hundreds of Washtenaw County students united in a rally to call for gun control legislation at Riverside Park in Ypsilanti.

Paying tribute to the 17 people killed in the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, students from across the county gathered following the National School Walkout in an effort organized by the Washtenaw Youth Initiative, which includes student representatives from a dozen local high schools.

Ann Arbor Pioneer High School senior Henry Taylor, who spoke at the rally, recited sobering statistics about school shootings that have caused many students to fear for their safety in the classroom since the Parkland shooting.

"Since Sandy Hook in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012, there have been 239 school shootings," Taylor said. "There have been 439 students who have been attending school that have been shot. In addition to that, 138 students have lost their lives in school as a result of guns since 2012.

"We students should not spend time in the classroom when we should be learning; when we should be receiving our education, being nervous that we will be the next victims," he added.

Pioneer High School student Clara Nunez-Regueiro recognized the lives lost in Parkland, Florida, as a wake-up call for teenagers to advocate for better gun control.

"If there is one thing we can unequivocally agree on, it is we have to demand safety in our schools, because we are sick of watching child after innocent child die in the classroom," she said. "We're here today because we should not be scared to go to school every single day, and because we are done with thoughts and prayers from complacent politicians who do not value human life over the price of a firearm."

In addition to providing a platform for students to speak, the rally also included an appearance from the League of Women Voters of the Ann Arbor Area, who were invited by the youth initiative to help students register to vote.

League of Women Voters representative Lois Kramer said she was impressed with the initiative shown by students to be engaged in the gun control debate.

"When these kids tell us they want their voices heard, how could we not show up and help them register to vote?" Kramer said. "I think it's absolutely wonderful and I think we've got to support them in every possible way that we can because these kids are the future."

The youth initiative has outlined a six-point platform for fighting gun violence in schools and the broader community:

Ban guns in schools, in all circumstances.

Raise the legal age for purchasing a gun to 21.

Ban the sale of assault weapons or high capacity ammunition magazines to the general public.

Require a gun safety class and certification before the purchase of a gun.

Require implicit bias training and psychological certification for police officers before they can carry guns.

While Pioneer High School senior Marquan Kane sees better gun control legislation as a step in the right direction, he felt the rally served as a unifying moment for students to come together.

"I think this is exactly what we needed because, the fact of the matter is, even if politicians do step up and change some laws, this issue will not be fixed just through legislation," Kane said. "What we need is unity within our community. What we need is brotherhood in this time. You can't legislate that brotherhood."

Since the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Pioneer High School sophomore Saima Harrison said threats of violence at school districts across the state have been prevalent, causing students a great deal of anxiety in wondering if they are going to be safe.

"I don't like being afraid that my friends are going to die in school," she said. "I was raised being told that education is how you get places in life. There are underpriviledged areas where the only way they can get out is through school and learning. We can't even go to school without being afraid."

Taylor said responsibility rests with lawmakers to bring about change.

"The majority of Americans believe in a complete ban on assault weapons," Taylor said. "The majority of Americans believe that those who are not mentally capable of owning a gun should not own a gun. This will change, and we are here stronger than ever before demanding change."