WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was a day I’ll never forget: A week ago, I was one of an estimated 200,000 people who took to the streets and National Mall on Saturday, March 24, for the March For Our Lives. For four hours, I stood and watched as teenage leaders took the stage to voice their desire for stronger gun control laws. It was an emotional event, as both speakers and protesters cried over stories of young people lost to violence. The crowd was diverse, with people of every race, ethnicity, and walk of life.
The next National School Walkout is scheduled for April 20. Before we look ahead to that event, here’s a look at what I saw and captured last week:
Posters line a fence before the rally. Protesters also wore orange price tags with a black “$1.05” symbolizing campaign contributions that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio reportedly has received from the National Rifle Association, divided by the number of students enrolled in Florida schools. Photo by Claire Duncan for GSS.Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Ryan Deitsch speaks at the March For Our Lives on March 24, 2018. In his speech, Deitsch called for teachers to be armed “with pencils, pens, paper and the money they need.” President Trump has proposed arming teachers against classroom intruders. Photo by Claire Duncan for GSS.Trevon Bosley, a Chicago teenager, gives a speech in honor of his brother, Terrell, who was killed leaving church at the March For Our Lives. Teenage speakers hailed from all over the country, including Illinois, Connecticut, Maryland and California. Photo by Claire Duncan for GSS.An audience member holds up a sign reading “Courage to fight Gun Violence” as musical artists Common, Andra Day and the Baltimore Children’s Choir perform “Stand Up For Something.” Singers Miley Cyrus, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Platt and Ariana Grande also performed at the march. Photo by Claire Duncan for GSS.A women holds a bright orange flag reading “Americans For Gun Safety Now!” Orange has come to represent the anti-gun violence movement, so many people at the march sported the bright color. Photo by Claire Duncan for GSS.Protesters hold signs aloft prior to the start of the speeches and performances at the March For Our Lives. Photos and video footage of people holding signs were shown on large jumbotrons before and during the event. Photo by Claire Duncan for GSS.
—Duncan is a sophomore at the University of Chicago Lab Schools. This is her first story for Global Student Square.
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