“We say Gay” LGBTQ+ rights walkout

Representative Ross Wilburn holding up heart-hands after a speech about his support of the protesters. Wilburn met with East students inside the capitol building.

“It was very inspiring and heartfelt. I could tell he put a lot of emotion into it,” East sophomore Cali Jackson said.

The leader of this crowd is East High School senior Josue Aleman, who organized the East walkout. The group of what felt like over 50 people silently waited on the edge of their seats for everything he had to say.

“I felt ecstatic, I didn’t really know what turnout to expect yesterday, but it felt amazing to see so many people come out to support us,” Aleman said

The East group left the school at 1:40 p.m. and stood on the west side of the capitol building. In the middle of the group holding the “Stop dehumanizing us” sign is senior Samantha Conyers, who had spent her morning making signs. “Everyone’s speeches were beautiful, it was very raw and genuine,” Conyers said.