'Matter of life or death:' Sanderson High students call for action in NC town hall on school shootings

The students at Sanderson High were clear about why they organized the event, saying they fear for their lives and the lives of students in schools across the nation.

"This is no longer a matter of Democrat, Independent or Republican. This is a matter of life and death," student organizer Maggie Duffy said.

Weeks ago, Sanderson students experience a code red lockdown that lasted around 45 minutes.

Student Greear Webb, the lead organizer for the discussion said more needed to be done after thousands of students walked out of class in March. They decided that a town hall for the state of North Carolina was the answer.

"We were scared and we were upset that this had happened to us," he said. "We didn't know if this was drill or not."

Webb said the students want answers from leaders who daily make decision concerning his and his peers' safety.

Lawmakers, police officers, mental health experts and students sat on a panel to answer questions about policy, funding, even social and cultural trends surrounding school safety and mass shootings.

WCPSS Board Chair Monika Johnson-Hostler said the event was a testament to the power of young people serious about change.

"Our students have put us on notice," she said. "And I think if I could say something to the adults that is, please take heed to the words that you heard from our students. Both those things that are emotionally charging for us to hear from our young people, but most importantly they called us to action."

Student organizers ended the evening by asking the community to do three things: Take the conversation back to their communities, follow the school safety movement and register to vote.

"Have good night and get some rest because tomorrow, and the next day and the next day and the next, we have work to do and a country to change," Webb said.