10/27/2026
Today should have been another day in the history of this country where kids protesting meant some meaningful change could be on the horizon. All throughout history, we see movements led by young people that accomplish massive goals and make real changes that are still being felt today. We are seeing this happen in France currently and the fact we are not reacting like the French do is a disservice to all.
What happened in Bend is just more proof that the old way of thinking is refusing to let go. The old way looks like grown adults showing up to tell kids they are doing something wrong when they are standing up against a system that is rigged against them. The old way looks like bringing guns and other weaponry to aid in crushing momentum. The old way is police showing up to a protest against school shootings armed to the teeth because they are afraid the kids might “riot”. The fact an officer who is assigned to protect one of the schools in the district showed up with his gun to a protest against school shootings is asinine. The fact that same SRO was okay passing out tickets while doing so proves the time for change was years ago.
Today Monday October 26th, Bend LaPine students walked out of their classes in solidarity to end gun violence in their schools. This walk out and protest was led by and .yourvoicematters. As everyone is well aware, Silver Rail Elementary had a shooting by a former student which resulted in the youngest kid in US history being killed in a mass school shooting on October 15th 2026. These kids are rightfully mad, passionate and sick of being used. We are seeing politicians running for office use this tragedy, like they always do and always will, to help push their political platform so they can be elected. To say this is a disgusting use of trauma is an understatement. We as a community are failing our children and it’s an issue that starts at the top and goes all the way to the bottom.
The biggest failure to these kids is the Bend Police Department. Instead of standing with these kids and moving towards a common goal of keeping them safe while they go to school, they spent most of the school walk out trying to squash dissent. They decided that instead of supporting the children and asking them what they needed, they issued them tickets.
You read that right. They issued them tickets.
Peacekeepers personally observed over 10 police cars in the area of the peacecorner and asked Officer John Horvath (Bend Senior High SRO) what the goal of having that many officers at the event. He said to "ensure this does not turn into a riot”. In all our times at protests in Bend we have never seen this many cops post up and target protestors like this. We heard one Black student was ticketed for revving his engine.
Police are scared. They are scared that children will lead the way. They are afraid of losing their jobs and rightfully so. It has been proven time and again the police force is reactive and exists to protect property. They are afraid. Instead of taking what should be anger that multiple children died while trying to learn, it seems that they may be pouting. Pouting in the form of not following through with being there when the kids are getting to school and getting out of school like they had said. Pouting in the form of doing everything they can to gaslight themselves into thinking they are doing a good job while actively doing absolutely nothing to be helpful in this time aside from continuing its investigation of the school shooting. Pouting in the form showing up to a kid led protest and deciding the best thing they could do is sit, watch, and ticket the kids. Bend PD is a failing organization.
There is a petition circulating asking for SRO’s at every school in the district to ensure the safety of children. This should have been happening already after the shooting like Bend PD said it would. Its not. The fact that its not is beyond disgusting and we know personally many parents in the district are displeased as well.
Children are seeing the system fail right in front of them. This is a time to support them. Not harass and ticket them. Never forget, history does not look kindly on those who go against the kids in moments where change is not only needed, but necessary.
If you are as upset as we are about this email Bend City Council [email protected] and [email protected] Bend PD to let them know where you stand.
If you are a student and you need support, reach out to us. We protect us.
