Students from Staples High School in Westport joined others nationwide Friday in protests demanding gun law reform.

Community members and Staples students, led by sisters Brooke and Peri Kessler, gathered on Veteran's Green across from Town Hall Friday afternoon.

Students said the mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida has more them more sensitive to the topic of gun violence.

"I think a lot more people are behind this issue now, which is really cool, and I think what's the most important thing is that our generation is activated," said Brooke Kessler, a senior. "We were a sleeping giant."

Students also used the event as a way to encourage their peers to register to vote.

Hundreds of Staples High School students also had a walkout Friday morning and called on their state and local politicians to make changes to gun laws.

In 2015, 115 people in Connecticut died of gun violence.