Video: Kids taught to shut out gun violence by 'stop, drop and sing'

BY Chris Sullivan  on December 21, 2012 @ 6:42 am (Updated: 7:15 am - 12/21/12 )

The violence in Newtown, Connecticut, is not just an American phenomenon. There is violence at or near schools around the world. Don't forget: There were 22 children stabbed in a Chinese school a week ago Friday too.

But looking at how each country tries to keep their kids safe in school can be eye-opening.

While people bursting into schools and opening fire is quite rare in Mexico, gun violence outside the walls is quite common, considering all the of drug and gang violence that permeates the country.

A few years ago, a two hour gun battle between the Army and cartel members played out right next to a school. A thousand kids were put on the floor as teachers boarded windows with desks and chairs.

Kindergarten teacher Martha Rivera found herself in a similar situation recently with a gun battle right outside her window. She calmly got her 16 students on the floor as rifles were unloading just outside her class. She captured it all on her cell phone.

She leads the children in a song, and as they sing, five men are murdered just feet away.

These shootings outside schools are so common in Mexico they actually prepare for them.

Our kids practice getting under desks during earthquake drills. Mexican children practice stop, drop and sing.

Chris Sullivan, KIRO Radio Reporter
Chris loves the rush of covering breaking news and works hard to try to make sense of it all while telling stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances.
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Comments (7)


  • Add A Comment

  • tlmbrt wrote...
    Watch
    December 21, 2012 7:50 am
    as our big brother government attempts to neuter our so-called "culture of violence". Shall we start by singing "I'd like to teach the world to sing", or "Cumbayah"?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hnuh wrote...
    This is another
    December 21, 2012 9:03 am
    example of the SORRY sack of mess the American left is. SORRY SORRY SACK OF DOOK.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dizzle wrote...
    Fa-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la...
    December 21, 2012 9:51 am
    Or we could not stock up on semi-automatic guns with large-capacity clips with our dangerously mentally ill son living in our house...But whatever works.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • deltta wrote...
    Hey Dizzzle
    December 21, 2012 10:13 am
    Don't forget teaching the kid to shoot and allowing him to play violent video games for years. This dangerous coctail was made by the mother.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hayduke wrote...
    No Dizzle, you have it all wrong.
    December 21, 2012 10:09 am
    Nevermind arming the teachers, who are just a bunch of librul do-gooder, cumbayah-singing union thugs anyway.

    What we really need to do is mandate that all kindergartners carry assault weapons to school. With proper training, of course.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Dizzle wrote...
    Heyduke
    December 21, 2012 10:37 am
    A 'well-regulated militia' of Kindergartners? ...I like it!

    At least THAT would be constitutional.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    OH BROTHER!!!
    December 21, 2012 12:13 pm
    I didn't realize song lyrics stopped bullets. Kumbaya, kumbaya....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }