Students Take the Lead in Advocating for Gun Control
Although most can't even vote, they urge lawmakers to enact stricter laws in the wake of the high school shooting that left 17 people dead in Florida.In the wake of Wednesday’s horrific mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., which left 17 people dead, people around the country are calling for gun control. But it’s the voices of those who can’t yet vote that are making the most impact.
Students at South Broward High School—near Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where the shooting took place—broadcast their message Friday by staging a walkout. About 50 students exited their classrooms to take to the streets with homemade signs. Passing cars honked in solidarity.
Future voters at South Broward High School have left classes to protest for better gun control. pic.twitter.com/AgpKRsrNwI
— Sebastian Murdock (@SebastianMurdoc) February 16, 2018
“I want to end gun violence,” 16-year-old Sara Rodriguez told The Huffington Post. She held a sign bearing the message, “NRA is a terrorist organization.”
“[Lawmakers] don’t pay attention to our voice and we’re really tired of staying silent,” she said. “We are the future. We’re trying to make it but we can’t do it if they’re not listening.”
Sara Rodriguez, 16, is not playing around. pic.twitter.com/aIxrzMp7z3
— Sebastian Murdock (@SebastianMurdoc) February 16, 2018
Survivors of Wednesday’s attack have been outspoken in the aftermath of the event, taking to Twitter to share their outrage and call on politicians to take action:
@realDonaldTrump hello I’m the 16 year old girl who tweeted you that I didn’t want your condolences, I wanted gun control, and went viral because of it. I heard you are coming to my community soon. I would love for you to hear my opinions on gun control in person.
– a survivor
— sarah // #NEVERAGAIN (@sarahchad_) February 16, 2018
I am angry. pic.twitter.com/mdRhAVxa8G
— Steph (@ohstephany_) February 16, 2018
Call your congressman today and let them no that we need change. Right now I’m not seeing that in the federal government and it shows how messed up your country is right now. @SpeakerRyan @POTUS are you really going to let these 17 people die in vain? What if that was your kid?
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) February 17, 2018
We don’t want higher fences and metal detectors. We don’t want our teachers to have guns. We don’t want to go to school in a prison. We want CHANGE. We want genuine, lasting change.
— carly (@car_nove) February 17, 2018
@realDonaldTrump you wanna come here and make a difference? Speak to us and ask us how we feel and take into consideration what we say. Empty speeches mean nothing if u don’t take action.
— Connor// #NEVERAGAIN (@CDietrich1007) February 16, 2018
17 of my classmates and staff were killed on Valentine’s Day. Seventeen. @realDonaldTrump Stop abusing your power and corruption and take action with Congress for stricter gun laws. https://t.co/9FidtCwVMX
— natasha #NeverAgain (@sighnatasha) February 16, 2018
The students are also speaking to news outlets, explaining in concise terms why they are demanding gun control:
“The NRA are the most powerful interest group in the United States, and they’re the ones that have to kind of wake up,” says FL school student Lewis Mizen. “Eventually it’s going to hit one of them. Until that happens… nothing’s going to change” https://t.co/frkjUIdY1y pic.twitter.com/RWuz2pIiGT
— CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) February 16, 2018
17-year-old Parkland shooting survivor Cameron Kasky says he thinks lawmakers are using the mental health discussion “to get out of discussing gun control” https://t.co/fJgEpM6H1O https://t.co/UKG56OLypU
— CNN (@CNN) February 16, 2018
On Saturday morning, student Emma Gonzalez spoke at an anti-gun rally in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.:
Here’s the speech from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Emma Gonzalez at an anti-gun rally happening today in Fort Lauderdale https://t.co/CyfMnPDAvW // https://t.co/hgewZy4Cxf https://t.co/gssAmGczuH
— Joshua Chavers (@JoshuaChavers) February 17, 2018
The call for change won’t be quieting down any time soon. A nationwide high school walkout, planned for April 20 (the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in Columbine, Colo.), is gaining popularity.
“The majority of teenagers have no right to vote, leaving our voice unheard. The government does not hear or care how these tragedies affect our lives,” says a Change.org petition announcing the walkout. “Walk out of school, wear orange and protest online and in your communities. Sign the petition if you pledge to do so. Nothing has changed since Columbine, let us start a movement that lets the government know the time for change is now.”
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