In the crusade to put an end gun violence, hundreds of thousands of people around the world participated in the March For Our Lives protest on March 24. According to the event’s website, 846 demonstrations were set to take place from the U.S. to Antartica.
In New York City, organizers marched toward Central Park. In Washington D.C., some survivors from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting– the tragedy that took 17 lives on Feb. 14–delivered powerful speeches to advocate for stricter gun control laws, and provide more insight into their terrible losses. Indeed, Emma González–a Parkland shooting survivor–delivered a moving and emblematic speech on Saturday.
“Six minutes and about 20 seconds,” she said. “In a little over 6 minutes, 17 of our friends were taken from us, 15 were injured and everyone in the Douglas community was forever altered.”
González also listed names of those who died in the shooting and shared the activities they’ll never be able to do again.
González continued: “No one could comprehend the devastating aftermath or how far this reach or where this could go. For those who still can’t comprehend, because they refuse to, I’ll tell you where it went. Right into the ground – six feet deep.”
In part of her speech, she stood in silence, symbolic of the length of the shooting spree. She broke her silence after a timer went off, and said: “Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and twenty seconds. The shooter has ceased shooting and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape and walk free for an hour before arrest. Fight for your life before it’s somebody else’s job.”
The inspiring speeches haven’t gone unnoticed by leaders and lawmakers. Democratic 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted to support the inspiring students.
Listening to the students from Parkland and across the country today is a reminder of what is possible when our future is in the right hands, and when we match inspiration with determination. https://t.co/fhiEBIw15B
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 24, 2018
So did former president Barack Obama.
Michelle and I are so inspired by all the young people who made today’s marches happen. Keep at it. You’re leading us forward. Nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 24, 2018
In New York City, Paul McCartney marched to show his support.
“One of my best friends was killed in gun violence right around here,” McCartney told CNN, “so it’s important to me.”
In the wake of the Florida school shooting, the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have been the leading voices in calls for action from lawmakers, and have boldly expressed frustration over a nation gridlocked on the issue of guns.
President Donald Trump has yet to recognize the rally, and is reportedly spending the weekend at Mar-a-Lago. Journalists report protestors are demonstrating nearby.
Protesters here ending their march just over the bridge from Mar a Lago, where @realDonaldTrump is spending the weekend pic.twitter.com/GmUVhLs1I7
— Rosalind Adams (@RosalindZAdams) March 24, 2018
