by Vlada Rauner, staff writer
On March 24th, 2018, according to organizers, nearly 800,000 people marched for The March For Our Lives In Washington DC to demand gun reform. The crowd walked toward the Capitol building with students, parents, and children. Signs rose through the streets with written statements like “the only bullets I should fear are powerpoints,” “arms are for hugging,” and ‘girls clothes are more regulated in schools than guns.”
The protest was organized by the survivors of the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Parkland, Florida. After the experience students were motivated to act on the controversial matter of gun control.
Emma Gonzalez, a 17-year-old Stoneman Douglas survivor, has become the face of the #NeverAgain movement. “Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and 20 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 the arrest.” She ended by stating a powerful message that echoed far beyond Pennsylvania Avenue: “Fight for your lives before it’s someone else’s job.”
Another survivor of gun violence, Edna Chavez, a 17-year-old from South Los Angeles who lost her brother in a shooting, also took the stage. “I learned how to duck from bullets before I learned how to read” she explained through tears.
Speakers did not only recall their experiences but also warned politicians about the future population of voters. “Either represent the people or get out … Stand for us or beware: The voters are coming,” Parkland student Cameron Kasky says to lawmakers as the crowd chanted “Vote them out! Vote them out!”
Many students from RHHS attended the event as well. “I think the most amazing part was all the love that was there.” says senior Nina Esposito Faraone. “There were so many different types of people who came out and want change. That’s what made it so powerful”.
The main event was in Washington DC but another 800 locations hosted the event. In Boston, protesters took to the street of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan. In New York City 200,000 people stormed Time Square. Even across the world in Paris, Rome, London, Berlin, and Sydney, people showed their support for changes of gun laws in the United States.