Local

CMS students host youth town hall to discuss campus safety, violence in schools

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An important discussion about violence in schools was held Sunday night, but it was not organized by school district leaders, policy makers, or parents, but those impacted the most -- students.

A group of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students held a youth town hall to talk about violence in schools.

The shooting inside Butler High School this past fall is one tragedy that prompted the discussion.

Since then, there have been multiple reports of guns on CMS campuses.

Sunday, students discussed challenges students face, sources of conflict, and potential solutions.

"We understand that school safety is a very large issue, but if you're not taking a student's point of view, then you're not really solving the issue," CMS student Righteous Keitt said.

Students told Channel 9 they want their voices heard as the conversation about school safety improvements moves forward.

Charlotte city councilmember Braxton Winston said it was at the town hall because it is important for leaders to listen and work with the people.

"As with anything, it's important for leaders to work with people, not for people. When you think you know the issue and you're not actually the one affected by the issue, that's how you make mistakes, that's how you do things that don't make progress," Winston said.

Last Thursday, CMS launched a new social campaign called "Guns Can't."

The goal is to highlight the talents and abilities of students while emphasizing that weapons can't hope, dream, or aspire.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: