TOLEDO, Ohio — Northwood High School students protesting gun violence in Toledo said there is only one word to describe how they feel after the shooting Friday outside Whitmer High School's football game: fear.
“I was actually going to attend the game and one of my best friends actually goes there," Northwood student Kaden Cluckey said. "So, it’s just a scary feeling to know that I could have been there shielding everybody and helping everybody."
Cluckey, Colin Arthur and Onnika Russell said they couldn't sit by and do nothing or continue fearing gun violence in their lives. So, they made a statement and organized an orange-out for Northwood's football game against Ottawa Hills High School on Friday.
"It’s a high school football game and there are people driving by shooting," Arthur said of the Whitmer shooting. "The past few years in Toledo have just been a mess, a hot mess."
They picked orange because it's bright and can make a big statement. Northwood's stands won't be alone in the effort either, because Ottawa Hills students will also be wearing orange.
"The gun violence issues in our areas really need to be dealt with and could affect any school district in our community," Ottawa Hills Superintendent Adam Fineske said. "I think us joining forces could really make a loud statement that this is important. "
Northwood and Ottawa Hills students both hope their call to action will make the shooters see they are affecting more people than they think.
"Everyone needs to know to be safe out there and that (gun violence has) got to stop," Arthur said.