STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — For Steamboat Springs High School senior Amanda Perlman, the time to talk about gun violence and school safety is now.

"What we want is for people to be discussing how we can create solutions to this problem," Perlman said. "As long as the discussions are about that, we are happy to have those conversations. We are just trying to bring up these issues, because it is up to everyone to solve this problem — it's not just up to us. We have to get everyone on the same page before we can move forward."

Perlman is one of several Steamboat Springs High School students who are planning to be part of the national “March For Our Lives” observance at 5 p.m. Saturday.

The group had originally planned to hold a march starting at 10 a.m. in front of Bud Werner Memorial Library and ending at the courthouse, but plans were changed and, instead, the students will host a demonstration at 5 p.m. in front of the historic Routt County Courthouse in downtown Steamboat Springs. 

Student organizers are hoping to draw a crowd of community members to join them in holding signs calling for change. 

The event is connected to the last week’s National Walkout, where students from schools across the country, including Steamboat, walked out of class to recognize the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

"People can be as political as they want to," Perlman said. "This is for students, but we will have teachers there, and I know a lot of community members are also planning on being there. I think that if people are passionate about this issue, they will make an effort to come out, and those are the people that we want to be a part of the movement.” 

"We thought more people could participate because it is after work and people could ski during the day," Perlman added. "We want to keep the momentum going and include the community as a whole. The walkout was the first step, but we want people to know that we are serious about finding solutions and making sure that our schools are safe."

To reach John F. Russell, call 970-871-4209, email jrussell@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @Framp1966.