Our country is experiencing a really challenging time right now. There have been many mass shootings and innocent lives lost. The latest being the school shooting that took place at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida.
Saturday, March 24, 2018, was the March For Our Lives rally in Washington D.C., and I was there to witness this groundbreaking time in American history.
On March 24, Washington D.C. saw a crowd of approximately 200,000 people showing support for those who have been victims and survivors due to gun violence.
Parkland student leader Emma Gonzalez delivered a remarkable speech in which she expressed the importance of enforcing stricter gun laws. The defining moment of her speech was when she held a moment of silence while standing at the podium.
“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 and blend in with the students so he can walk free for an hour before arrest," González said. "Fight for your lives before it is someone else's job.”
While I enjoyed going to the march, it was a struggle getting me there. On the days leading up to the march, I went back and forth with myself on whether I should attend or not.
I finally came to the conclusion that this was something that I needed to attend because I am a huge advocate for raising awareness and lifting your voice for things you want to change. I couldn’t sit idle and preach about making a change and not actually get out there to help make that change.
Making a change was my main reason for marching, but I also marched for the lives lost to gun violence. I marched for the innocent kids and teachers who have to go to school in fear every day.
I marched for the parents or family members who have lost someone they love to the hands of guns. I marched for a real true change of stricter gun laws in our country.
This event truly changed my life, I learned a lot, I enjoyed being able to be a part of history and just volunteering my time for something bigger than myself. I feel that a lot of the time everyone is so wrapped up in their own lives, struggles and situations that they forget that there are bigger issues out there.
This march really taught me that what I am going through is so small compared to the issues facing our country right now. Get out there and volunteer, you won’t regret it.
March For Our Lives goes beyond school shootings, March For Our Lives is for everyone who has lost a life to gun violence. This includes those who have lost their lives or someone due to police brutality and so much more.
What I want people to know is that this movement is so much bigger than all of us. The students at Parkland have truly started a movement, and it’s up to us to support them and continue to fight until we can truly say... NEVER AGAIN!
