Not a Moment, But a Movement
The tragic February 14th shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School that took 17 innocent lives was a frightening reminder of the realities of gun violence–something that has been resonating throughout my entire life. Growing up, I remember the shocking ripples on the news that seemed to hop from tragedy to tragedy - Virginia Tech to Aurora to Sandy Hook.
Since the shooting, there have been slight reforms on behalf of firearm retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods, who pledged to not sell assault-grade firearms and raise the selling age to 21. The amplitude of this unfortunate event has also motivated one of the largest youth-led movements.
On March 24, 2018, youth around America displayed the power and potential of organizing for one of the most heart-wrenching issues plaguing our nation: gun violence. March for Our Lives had a turnout of 850,000 for just Washington, D.C. alone.
The powerful images below capture the sorrowful and hopeful sentiment that we hold for the future.
This march is a reminder that there is still a long ways to go. Lobbying efforts as well as contacting representatives is just one of many ways to push for the change we want to see in our legislatures. The energy and solidarity seen from March of Our Lives shouldn't be seen as an isolated event. This isn't just a moment, it's a movement.
Feature image via
