They could be heard from afar as they marched through the streets of Copenhagen towards Christiansborg Palace.
The high school students from different parts of Denmark had a common goal - to stop the Danish government's planned cuts to student grants.
“The state wants to cut SU (the Danish student grant). It's already difficult for those of us from families that don't earn much,” said Molly Kareis Livingstone.
She is in her final year at Det Frie Gymnasium in the Nørrebro district and led one of the demonstration marches, carrying a bright green sign that read “Vi har brug for vores SU”.
She does not think the demonstration was inspired by the protests in France that turned violent. Rather, she said, governments across Europe are “obviously” planning similar cuts, and students are “naturally” reacting.
Her friend Tristan Holsteen Nissen agrees. He walked out of class today because he is worried that fewer people will choose to study if the cuts are implemented - and about the long-term consequences:
“I also don't think your parents' income should affect how much you get. Just because your parents earn a lot doesn't mean you get a lot,” he said.
According to the Ritzau news agency, the Danish government wants to withdraw student financial aid (SU) from students living at home whose parents together earn more than 710,077 Danish kroner a year, and gradually reduce the grant for those whose parents' combined income is between 419,589 and 710,077 Danish kroner.
According to Danish media, around 10,000 people were expected to take part in the demonstration outside Christiansborg, which passed peacefully. Nineteen buses brought students there from all over the country. In addition, around 40,000 students from more than 50 upper secondary schools across Denmark walked out of class today.
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