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BOSTON GLOBE
Petrina Chan took part in the March For Our Lives rally in Boston. |
THE MARCH FOR OUR LIVES demonstrations and rallies occurred throughout the U.S. and in cities around the globe Sunday inspired by a gunman's rampage through Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida that took 17 lives.
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| Sen. Kamala Harris joined the students in the March For Our Lives. |
"The students from Stoneman Douglas have turned their mourning into a movement — and I genuinely believe they have changed the conversation about gun violence in America," said California Sen. Kamala Harris.
"From here, we need to look to our youth for inspiration. They are teaching all of us so many lessons on activism and action in the face of tragedy. I wish Congressional leaders had their courage and determination to stand up to the gun lobby," said Harris, whose parents come from India and the Caribbean.
According to its website, March For Our Lives is created by, inspired by, and led by students across the country who will no longer risk their lives waiting for someone else to take action to stop the epidemic of mass school shootings that has become all too familiar. In the tragic wake of the seventeen lives brutally cut short in Florida, politicians are telling us that now is not the time to talk about guns. March For Our Lives believes the time is now.
A half-century after Bob Dylan's iconic "The Times They Are A-Changin" inspired a generation of young people to march against the Vietnam War, for civil rights and question anybody over 30. the 60's anthem gained new meaning to the Baby Boomers' grandchildlren, young students who took part in the March for Our Lives Sunday (Mar. 24).
With the opening stanza, "Come gather now children wherever you are," the song was a perfect message to the young kids taking part in the gun-control demonstration. Sung by Jennifer Hudson, whose mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew were all shot dead in 2008,, the performnce was an emotional highlight to a day full of powerful moments.
Parkland student Emma Gonzalez created a powerful statement with her silence at the Washington D.C. march.
"Six minutes and about 20 seconds," Emma said, tears flowing down her cheeks. "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."
A half-century after Bob Dylan's iconic "The Times They Are A-Changin" inspired a generation of young people to march against the Vietnam War, for civil rights and question anybody over 30. the 60's anthem gained new meaning to the Baby Boomers' grandchildlren, young students who took part in the March for Our Lives Sunday (Mar. 24).
With the opening stanza, "Come gather now children wherever you are," the song was a perfect message to the young kids taking part in the gun-control demonstration. Sung by Jennifer Hudson, whose mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew were all shot dead in 2008,, the performnce was an emotional highlight to a day full of powerful moments.
Parkland student Emma Gonzalez created a powerful statement with her silence at the Washington D.C. march.
So young, yet so meaninful speeches were given throughout thet day: Parkland student David Hogg: “We are going to make this the voting issue. We are going to take this to every election, to every state and every city. When politicians send their thoughts and prayers with no action, we say, ‘No more.’ And to those politicians supported by the NRA, that allow the continued slaughter of our children and our future, I say get your resumes ready.”
Martin Luther King's 9-year old granddaughter Yolanda King recalled her grandfather's famous "I Have A Dream" speech: “My grandfather had a dream that his four little children will not be judged by the color of the skin, but the content of their character. I have a dream that enough is enough."
“I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African-American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper. These stories don’t lead on the evening news,” said 11-year old Naomi Wadler at the Washington D.C. march.“My school will now always be remembered for what took place on Feb. 14, 2018,” said Leslie Chiu, a graduate of Stoneman Douglas who attends Northeastern University in Boston.
Her alma mater will be known, Chiu said, as the place that “started the movement that we are a part of today.”
“Our generation will carry with us the weight and burden of countless lives lost and we will take it upon ourselves to ensure that on their behalf that we are the last ones in this environment of daily shootings,” she said.
Her alma mater will be known, Chiu said, as the place that “started the movement that we are a part of today.”
“Our generation will carry with us the weight and burden of countless lives lost and we will take it upon ourselves to ensure that on their behalf that we are the last ones in this environment of daily shootings,” she said.
BEHIND THE SCENES
The Parkland students led the organizing but were soon joined by hundreds of incredible students across the country.
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| MIRASHAYE BASA |
"I started becoming more politically aware after the 2016 presidential election. So many of the tragedies that we see in the news and on social media are becoming normalized, and that is not acceptable. There needs to be action. My good friend Eli and I are very passionate about music and theatre, so we decided to contribute to the March for Our Lives movement by using our talents to make a video that calls attention to those who have been affected by gun violence.
"We proposed the idea at a March for Our Lives meeting and posted it on social media to help raise awareness," she said.
"As a high school student, sometimes it’s hard to find ways to make an impact on a large scale, but this movement has made me feel like anything is possible. The students in Parkland are so inspiring; they’ve used and continue to use their voices effectively. I hope the leaders of the country are influenced by the masses of people who demand action instead of the money they receive from interest groups.
"As a high school student, sometimes it’s hard to find ways to make an impact on a large scale, but this movement has made me feel like anything is possible. The students in Parkland are so inspiring; they’ve used and continue to use their voices effectively. I hope the leaders of the country are influenced by the masses of people who demand action instead of the money they receive from interest groups.
"In the future, I hope we have gun control so effective that we never have a mass shooting ever again."
One of the biggest turnouts for the march was held in Los Angeles. One of the amazing student organizers was Madison "Madi" Phan., a jurnior at North Torrance Hhigh School.
Interviewed by Smart Girls, we learn that Madi has given a TED talk to kids in her district, been a member of ASB, and was a Girl Scout for six years. Currently, Madi is involved in her school’s theatre and dance program, on the student panel group, and is in GATE progr
In the future, Madi wants to be part of the film industry to give Asians and Asian-Americans more representation in Hollywood. She would also like to provide assistance to those in developing countries.
Helping to make a change in society and the world is something Madi is passionate about and hopes for more amazing opportunities like participating in the March For Our Lives.
“Gun violence is something that impacts us all, whether directly or indirectly,” said Rhiannon Rasaretnam, a Seattle March For Our Lives organizer told the Seattle Times. “This is about us stepping up and not waiting for adults to take action on issues that risk our lives every single day.”
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| MADISON PHAN |
Interviewed by Smart Girls, we learn that Madi has given a TED talk to kids in her district, been a member of ASB, and was a Girl Scout for six years. Currently, Madi is involved in her school’s theatre and dance program, on the student panel group, and is in GATE progr
In the future, Madi wants to be part of the film industry to give Asians and Asian-Americans more representation in Hollywood. She would also like to provide assistance to those in developing countries.
Helping to make a change in society and the world is something Madi is passionate about and hopes for more amazing opportunities like participating in the March For Our Lives.
“Gun violence is something that impacts us all, whether directly or indirectly,” said Rhiannon Rasaretnam, a Seattle March For Our Lives organizer told the Seattle Times. “This is about us stepping up and not waiting for adults to take action on issues that risk our lives every single day.”
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