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March For Our Lives: Mass rallies on US gun control begin March For Our Lives: Mass rallies on US gun control begin
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of thousands of Americans are gathering across the US calling for tighter gun control. Hundreds of thousands of Americans are gathering across the country for a series of marches demanding tighter gun control.
March For Our Lives grew out of a movement calling for change after 17 people were killed by a gunman at a high school in Florida last month. The student-led protests - called March For Our Lives - have grown out of a movement calling for change after 17 people were killed by a gunman at a high school in Florida last month.
On Friday, the White House said it would ban bump stocks, which give semi-automatic guns rapid-fire capability. Half a million people are expected to descend on the march in Washington DC.
But many activists are calling for more extensive legislation. More than 800 sister protests are planned nationwide and abroad.
The main march is taking place in Washington DC, with more than 800 sister protests taking place place elsewhere in the US and around the world, including London, Edinburgh, Geneva and Sydney. Solidarity marches have taken place in London, Edinburgh, Geneva and Sydney.
Organisers have said it may become "standing room only" in Washington, as the swelling crowds could make it hard to move. The march there begins at 12:00 local time (16:00 GMT). Organisers have said it may become "standing room only" for the main event in Washington, as the swelling crowds could make it hard to move. The march there was to begin at 12:00 local time (16:00 GMT).
Participants want to seize on public outrage in the wake of the 14 February massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland to convince US politicians to finally take decisive action, including by banning the sale of assault weapons.Participants want to seize on public outrage in the wake of the 14 February massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland to convince US politicians to finally take decisive action, including by banning the sale of assault weapons.
However, the issue divides Americans. The right to bear arms is protected under the 2nd amendment of the US constitution and the National Rifle Association (NRA) gun lobby remains highly influential.However, the issue divides Americans. The right to bear arms is protected under the 2nd amendment of the US constitution and the National Rifle Association (NRA) gun lobby remains highly influential.
President Donald Trump is at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the weekend.President Donald Trump is at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida for the weekend.
On Saturday afternoon, the White House released a statement praising the "many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today".On Saturday afternoon, the White House released a statement praising the "many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today".
It also cited steps it is taking to tackle gun violence, including banning bump stocks, plus enacting the STOP School Violence Act, which seeks to improve school security and increase training for students, staff and local law enforcement.It also cited steps it is taking to tackle gun violence, including banning bump stocks, plus enacting the STOP School Violence Act, which seeks to improve school security and increase training for students, staff and local law enforcement.
There are also plans to improve criminal background records so gun buyers are properly vetted before making a purchase.There are also plans to improve criminal background records so gun buyers are properly vetted before making a purchase.
Organisers say up to half a million people could rally in Washington DC, which would make it the largest protest since last year's women's march. The singer Ariana Grande and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man behind hit musical Hamilton, are set to perform.Organisers say up to half a million people could rally in Washington DC, which would make it the largest protest since last year's women's march. The singer Ariana Grande and Lin-Manuel Miranda, the man behind hit musical Hamilton, are set to perform.
'My lost soulmate''My lost soulmate'
By Marianna Brady, BBC News, WashingtonBy Marianna Brady, BBC News, Washington
The crowds started to gather in the early hours of the morning outside the US Capitol. Chants for "no more NRA" and "no more guns" erupt every few minutes at random.The crowds started to gather in the early hours of the morning outside the US Capitol. Chants for "no more NRA" and "no more guns" erupt every few minutes at random.
"He was my soulmate," said Victoria Gonzalez, looking down at a sign of her boyfriend Joaquin Oliver."He was my soulmate," said Victoria Gonzalez, looking down at a sign of her boyfriend Joaquin Oliver.
Valentine's Day - 14 February - started off as a great day for Victoria. "Joaquin and I exchanged gifts in the morning and he walked me to class. I was so happy."Valentine's Day - 14 February - started off as a great day for Victoria. "Joaquin and I exchanged gifts in the morning and he walked me to class. I was so happy."
Later that day, she would learn that Joaquin was one of 17 people shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas school.Later that day, she would learn that Joaquin was one of 17 people shot and killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas school.
"It wasn't real. It's taken a while for it to sink in. I'm here today so no one ever has to face this again," she said, standing in a crowd of several thousand ahead of the march."It wasn't real. It's taken a while for it to sink in. I'm here today so no one ever has to face this again," she said, standing in a crowd of several thousand ahead of the march.
"It gives me a lot of hope seeing how many people are out here supporting us. It feels like the whole entire world is on our side," Victoria said."It gives me a lot of hope seeing how many people are out here supporting us. It feels like the whole entire world is on our side," Victoria said.
At a rally in Houston, Texas, Mayor Sylvester Turner called the events a defining moment in US history and announced a commission to tackle gun violence on a local level.At a rally in Houston, Texas, Mayor Sylvester Turner called the events a defining moment in US history and announced a commission to tackle gun violence on a local level.
Families of the victims of the 1996 school shooting in Dunblane, Scotland, also joined a solidarity demonstration outside the US consulate in Edinburgh.Families of the victims of the 1996 school shooting in Dunblane, Scotland, also joined a solidarity demonstration outside the US consulate in Edinburgh.
In London, several hundred people gathered outside the new US embassy in Vauxhall, carrying placards addressed to US politicians and the NRA, saying "protect kids not guns" and "books not bullets". The crowd was a mix of US immigrants and allies.In London, several hundred people gathered outside the new US embassy in Vauxhall, carrying placards addressed to US politicians and the NRA, saying "protect kids not guns" and "books not bullets". The crowd was a mix of US immigrants and allies.
Some 69% of Americans think gun laws should be tightened, according to a new poll by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, up from 61% in October 2016.Some 69% of Americans think gun laws should be tightened, according to a new poll by the Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, up from 61% in October 2016.
What's happened since Parkland?What's happened since Parkland?