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| March for Our Lives: hundreds of thousands demand end to gun violence – live | March for Our Lives: hundreds of thousands demand end to gun violence – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Zion Kelly of Washington DC just spoke on behalf of people who face the threat of gun violence every time they walk to and from school. | |
| His twin brother, Zaire, was shot on 20 Sep 2017. | |
| Kelly became emotional talking about his brother, but in every pause, the crowd cheered him on in support. | |
| Kelly’s family has proposed legislation, named after his brother, to create safe passage zones to and from schools and other activities. | |
| “My name is Zion Kelly and just like you, I’ve had enough.” | |
| Broadway superstars Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ben Platt are on stage, singing Found Tonight, a mashup of songs from Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. | |
| The song was first released earlier this week and a portion of proceeds from the track will be donated to March for Our Lives. | |
| The rally is a mix of live music performances, speeches and videos. | |
| Marjory Stoneman Douglas student Alex Wind just left the stage after delivering a rousing speech. | |
| “To those saying teenagers can’t do anything, I am here to say teenagers are the only ones who could have made this movement possible.” | |
| “If teachers start packing heat, are they going to arm our pastors, ministers and rabbis?” | |
| “For too long our government has been useless on this issue.” | |
| “To all the politicians out there, if you take money from the NRA, you have chosen death.” | |
| The speakers so far have been 19-years-old and younger. | |
| A recurring theme of the march has been voting. | |
| Between almost every speaker they crowd is chanting: “Vote them out! Vote them out!” | |
| And the speakers taking the stage say it over and over again: they are ready do one thing: to vote all politicians who ignore them today out. | |
| They are also ready to confront politicians and lobbyists not taking action (this was a message particularly strongly delivered to the press by David Hogg, the Parkland student who was been falsely described by the alt-right as a “crisis actor”). | |
| Speaking to journalists this morning, Hogg said they would “continue to march in every state’s Capitol, across all states” to secure change. “Registering to vote is crucial,” he said. “You’re showing politicians you’re going to hold them accountable.” | |
| To turn this into action, many volunteers are posted along the march to register voters, too. They’re targeting those who are of age, and talking to younger teenagers about the importance of casting their votes. | |
| Edna Chavez, a 17-year-old from Los Angeles, spoke about efforts to reduce gun violence in Los Angeles. | |
| “I am a youth leader. I am a survivor. I have lived in south central LA my entire life and have lost many loved ones to violence. This is normal.” | |
| “I learned to duck from gun bullets before I could read.” | |
| Chavez spoke about her brother, Ricardo, dying in a shooting. | |
| “Ricardo was his name. Can you say it with me?” she said, inspiring the crowd to chant. | |
| “I lost more than my brother that day, my hero. I also lost my mother, my sister and myself to that trauma and anxiety.” | |
| “I carry that trauma with me everywhere I go.” | |
| She talks about how gun violence has been customary in southern Los Angeles for decades. | |
| Everyone speaking today is a student. Not all MSD students though. Right now, Edna Chavez is speaking. She’s from LA and she greeted the crowd in Spanish. Her brother was the victim of gun violence. “Ricardo was his name. Can ya’ll say it with me?” CBSMiami @AMarch4OurLives pic.twitter.com/DuGljG0rMs | |
| “I am here today to honor Ricardo. I am here today to honor Stephon Clark (a black man fatally shot by police in Sacramento this week). I am here today to uplift my south LA community.” | |
| Chavez advocates for restorative justice measures, mentorship programs, mental health resources, paid internships and job opportunities. | |
| “Remember my name. Remember these faces. Remember us and how we’re making change.” | |
| At the rally in Parkland, Florida, Stoneman Douglas students ended the speaking programme by reading out the names of the 17 victims of last month’s shooting,reports Richard Luscombe. | |
| The speeches by student survivors and relatives of the victims were mostly non-political, with only occasional references to the NRA - but drawing boos when they did. | |
| Tony Montalto, father of 14-year-old victim Gina, said his daughter was smart and was going to change the world. Now, he said, that was in her classmates’ hands, and those of politicians. | |
| “We need action,” he said. “Some here today might be disappointed change has not come fast enough, but maybe one brick at a time is maybe the path that is needed. A marathon, not a sprint.”. | |
| Tens of thousands attended the Parkland rally at the park where until last week memorials to the 17 victims were positioned. | |
| Our special correspondents, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, have been speaking to more marchers in Washington. | |
| “As far as growing up in Chicago being a Chicago native, it’s a lot of gun violence there,” David Bell, who is part of organization that fixes homes for the less fortunate, told Richard Doan. “There are kids, there are babies getting shot. Coming from that background [and] losing a lot of friends and family [and seeing] today all the events happening around the nation with the students [shows] what the future needs. [These] educated individuals, they are being killed, so we wanted to come to support because not only do we have our own problems at home, but our kids are our home. Eventually these kids are going to grow up and make a difference, but they can’t do that if they’re killed in a classroom.” | |
| “It is so profoundly uplifting to see so many people bound by our cause, and that’s what makes me optimistic for change” student activist Matt Post told Nikhita Nookala. | |
| “It’s absolutely amazing,” said Jackie Corin. “Like this formulated on Cameron’s living room floor and to see millions of people around the world supporting us is unreal. I’m just so thankful.” | |
| Paul McCartney is at the March for Our Lives protest in New York City. | |
| In an interview with CNN, he appeared to reference the death of his formed bandmate John Lennon, who was fatally shot outside the Dakota in 1980. The New York march began next to the Dakota. | |
| “One of my best friends was shot not far from where we are right now,” he said. | |
| "One of my best friends was killed in gun violence right around here, so it's important to me," says Paul McCartney, remembering his Beatles bandmate John Lennon at the March for Our Lives in New York City https://t.co/u4aBKWC1Jb pic.twitter.com/8Jnjn8A3xH | |
| Marjory Stoneman Douglas senior Delaney Tarr just addressed the crowd - after chasing her speech across the stage when it blew away before she could start talking. | Marjory Stoneman Douglas senior Delaney Tarr just addressed the crowd - after chasing her speech across the stage when it blew away before she could start talking. |
| “We will continue to fight for our dead friends,” she said. She ran through the students’ demands, including background checks and a ban on assault weapons. | “We will continue to fight for our dead friends,” she said. She ran through the students’ demands, including background checks and a ban on assault weapons. |
| “When you give us an inch, that bump stocks ban, we will take a mile,” she said. “We are not here for breadcrumbs, we are here to lead.” | “When you give us an inch, that bump stocks ban, we will take a mile,” she said. “We are not here for breadcrumbs, we are here to lead.” |
| It is another powerful speech from the stage in Washington. | It is another powerful speech from the stage in Washington. |
| Delaney Tarr's powerful message is a reminder that this movement relies on the persistence and passion of people #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/qUkwWrgGKX | |
| The second speaker, Trevon Bosley, just spoke on behalf of youth in Chicago. | The second speaker, Trevon Bosley, just spoke on behalf of youth in Chicago. |
| “I’m here to speak for those Chicago youth who feel like their voices have been silenced for far too long.” | “I’m here to speak for those Chicago youth who feel like their voices have been silenced for far too long.” |
| His brother, Terrell Bosley, was shot and killed in 2006 while leaving church. A woman held a picture of Terrell next to his brother while he spoke. | His brother, Terrell Bosley, was shot and killed in 2006 while leaving church. A woman held a picture of Terrell next to his brother while he spoke. |
| Bosley went on to mention the underlying issues that have perpetuated gun violence in Chicago including poverty, a lack of workforce development and funds being diverted to tourism instead of the city. | Bosley went on to mention the underlying issues that have perpetuated gun violence in Chicago including poverty, a lack of workforce development and funds being diverted to tourism instead of the city. |
| “It was caused by several problems we are still dealing with to this day,” Bosley said. | “It was caused by several problems we are still dealing with to this day,” Bosley said. |
| He says when the president talks about Chicago gun violence constantly without diverting funds to assist the city, gun violence will continue to be a problem. | He says when the president talks about Chicago gun violence constantly without diverting funds to assist the city, gun violence will continue to be a problem. |
| “We deserve to live a life without fear of being gunned down,” he said. | “We deserve to live a life without fear of being gunned down,” he said. |
| "Everyday shootings are everyday problems." #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/Yh5zCT8i3x | "Everyday shootings are everyday problems." #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/Yh5zCT8i3x |
| Our special correspondents, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, have been speaking to more marchers and protest organizers in Washington. | Our special correspondents, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, have been speaking to more marchers and protest organizers in Washington. |
| “I’m watching Cameron speak right now, and I am so close to crying,” said Emma Gonzalez, one of the most well-known of the Parkland students. “I’m just so happy that this is really happening- This is the coolest moment of my life.” | “I’m watching Cameron speak right now, and I am so close to crying,” said Emma Gonzalez, one of the most well-known of the Parkland students. “I’m just so happy that this is really happening- This is the coolest moment of my life.” |
| “You know it’s overwhelming, but in a good way, because this is a show of unity and positivity in the best way possible,” MSD senior Delaney Tarr told Nikhita Nookala. | “You know it’s overwhelming, but in a good way, because this is a show of unity and positivity in the best way possible,” MSD senior Delaney Tarr told Nikhita Nookala. |
| Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school student Cameron Kasky just took the stage. | Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school student Cameron Kasky just took the stage. |
| “Welcome to the revolution,” Kasky said. “It is a powerful and peaceful one because it is of, for and by the young people of this country.” | “Welcome to the revolution,” Kasky said. “It is a powerful and peaceful one because it is of, for and by the young people of this country.” |
| “Politicians, either represent the people or get out,” Kasky said. | “Politicians, either represent the people or get out,” Kasky said. |
| He read out the list of students and staff who died at his school on 14 Feb. | He read out the list of students and staff who died at his school on 14 Feb. |
| The last name Kasky said was Nicholas Dworet, who would have turned 18 today. | The last name Kasky said was Nicholas Dworet, who would have turned 18 today. |
| Happy Birthday #NicholasDworet today we celebrate him and remember not only the 16 others from my school that are with him, but all people that have been cruely taken from this world by gun violence. | Happy Birthday #NicholasDworet today we celebrate him and remember not only the 16 others from my school that are with him, but all people that have been cruely taken from this world by gun violence. |
| People have been rallying in the streets across the US, but the main March For Our Lives demonstration in Washington DC only just officially began. | People have been rallying in the streets across the US, but the main March For Our Lives demonstration in Washington DC only just officially began. |
| Andra Day and Common are performing on the main stage to kick-off the event. | Andra Day and Common are performing on the main stage to kick-off the event. |
| Jessica Reed adds from Washington: | Jessica Reed adds from Washington: |
| Teacher Charlie Posey from Maryland. She says the red pen is a time-honoured weapon. Next month her school will go through a “transition drill” - a drill for when kids are not “sitting nicely in a classroom”. “It’s a lot of responsibility,” she says. pic.twitter.com/b3JlNn4H0A | Teacher Charlie Posey from Maryland. She says the red pen is a time-honoured weapon. Next month her school will go through a “transition drill” - a drill for when kids are not “sitting nicely in a classroom”. “It’s a lot of responsibility,” she says. pic.twitter.com/b3JlNn4H0A |
| This is Destiny. She’s standing on that podium holding the sign real high for everyone to see and take pictures of. pic.twitter.com/UqzvUpNgal | This is Destiny. She’s standing on that podium holding the sign real high for everyone to see and take pictures of. pic.twitter.com/UqzvUpNgal |
| My colleague Oliver Laughland is also at the march in Washington. | My colleague Oliver Laughland is also at the march in Washington. |
| 16 year-olds Sophia Hiltz & Alanis Moulier came from Great Mills high in Maryland to remember their friend Jaelynn Willey who died yesterday after being shot on campus this week. “It can happen to anyone, anywhere. Something needs to be done.” #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/IzVoxHIl7m | 16 year-olds Sophia Hiltz & Alanis Moulier came from Great Mills high in Maryland to remember their friend Jaelynn Willey who died yesterday after being shot on campus this week. “It can happen to anyone, anywhere. Something needs to be done.” #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/IzVoxHIl7m |
| 17 year-old Cassie Pearce got to DC on a 10 hour bus trip from Vermont. “I’m here because enough is enough. We have a right to be heard.” #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/m8DRCnonMv | 17 year-old Cassie Pearce got to DC on a 10 hour bus trip from Vermont. “I’m here because enough is enough. We have a right to be heard.” #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/m8DRCnonMv |
| Our special correspondents, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, have been interviewing marchers in Washington. | Our special correspondents, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, have been interviewing marchers in Washington. |
| “It means everything to be here,” Nicole Anderson told Lewis Mizen. “To not only fight for the lives lost but to fight for change. We are making history and I want to do everything in my power to be a part of it.” | “It means everything to be here,” Nicole Anderson told Lewis Mizen. “To not only fight for the lives lost but to fight for change. We are making history and I want to do everything in my power to be a part of it.” |
| “After the shooting, I was devastated like most of Douglas was,” MSD student Sarah Chadwick told Christy Ma. “I’m a type A kind of person though so I had to do something, otherwise it felt like I was letting people down.” | “After the shooting, I was devastated like most of Douglas was,” MSD student Sarah Chadwick told Christy Ma. “I’m a type A kind of person though so I had to do something, otherwise it felt like I was letting people down.” |
| “This is a fight,” Ryan Deitsch, a senior at MSD, said. “It’s a long fight. It isn’t over yet. We can march all we want but until we march to their doorsteps, knock on the door, nothing will change.” | “This is a fight,” Ryan Deitsch, a senior at MSD, said. “It’s a long fight. It isn’t over yet. We can march all we want but until we march to their doorsteps, knock on the door, nothing will change.” |
| Nikhita Nookala has been speaking to US Congressman Ted Deutch. “Here’s the moment I’m really proud of,” he said.”Someone came up to me and asked: ‘Is your last name Deutch?’ and then: ‘Are you related to that Ryan kid?’” | Nikhita Nookala has been speaking to US Congressman Ted Deutch. “Here’s the moment I’m really proud of,” he said.”Someone came up to me and asked: ‘Is your last name Deutch?’ and then: ‘Are you related to that Ryan kid?’” |
| The Guardian’s Richard Luscombe reports from Parkland, Florida, where he has been closely following the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting since it took place a little over a month ago. | The Guardian’s Richard Luscombe reports from Parkland, Florida, where he has been closely following the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting since it took place a little over a month ago. |
| Max Schachter, father of one of the victims, Alex, a 14-year Stoneman Douglas marching band musician, addressed the crowd at the rally. | Max Schachter, father of one of the victims, Alex, a 14-year Stoneman Douglas marching band musician, addressed the crowd at the rally. |
| Schacter broke down in tears as he recalled how his son enjoyed playing basketball with his older brother, and teaching his little sister “to become a better trombone player” and that on February 13 he was like any other parent, wanting his children to be happy and getting good grades. | Schacter broke down in tears as he recalled how his son enjoyed playing basketball with his older brother, and teaching his little sister “to become a better trombone player” and that on February 13 he was like any other parent, wanting his children to be happy and getting good grades. |
| Then the Valentine’s Day shooting happened. | Then the Valentine’s Day shooting happened. |
| “Since the day that changed my life, I will not stop fighting for change,” he said. | “Since the day that changed my life, I will not stop fighting for change,” he said. |
| “The 17 beautiful angels would not stop fighting until make this world a better and safer place.” | “The 17 beautiful angels would not stop fighting until make this world a better and safer place.” |
| Schachter has set up two foundations in his son’s memory, the Alex Schachter scholarship fund for the MSD marching band that his son loved. | Schachter has set up two foundations in his son’s memory, the Alex Schachter scholarship fund for the MSD marching band that his son loved. |
| The second is the Safe Schools for Alex foundation. | The second is the Safe Schools for Alex foundation. |
| “Alex’s death could have been prevented, all the lives could have,” he said. | “Alex’s death could have been prevented, all the lives could have,” he said. |
| Schachter said the MSD students’ campaign for gun reform had inspired him. | Schachter said the MSD students’ campaign for gun reform had inspired him. |
| “The beautiful lives lost have not and will not be in vain,” he said. | “The beautiful lives lost have not and will not be in vain,” he said. |
| #MSD students in bleachers at Pine Trails Park, Parkland, remembering 17 lost classmates and teachers, and calling for gun reform #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/iNBVTy8EUt | #MSD students in bleachers at Pine Trails Park, Parkland, remembering 17 lost classmates and teachers, and calling for gun reform #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/iNBVTy8EUt |
| In 1992, a 16-year-old Japanese exchange student was shot dead on his way to a Halloween party in Louisiana. | In 1992, a 16-year-old Japanese exchange student was shot dead on his way to a Halloween party in Louisiana. |
| Yoshi Hattori’s parents have been campaigners for stricter gun laws in the US ever since and on Saturday hosted a March for Our Lives rally in the Japanese city of Nagoya. | Yoshi Hattori’s parents have been campaigners for stricter gun laws in the US ever since and on Saturday hosted a March for Our Lives rally in the Japanese city of Nagoya. |
| The Guardian’s Daniel Hurst reports from Tokyo: | The Guardian’s Daniel Hurst reports from Tokyo: |
| “I was moved by the high school students challenging the government on the gun control issues,” Mieko Hattori, Yoshi’s mother, told the Guardian. “I felt something was changing at the bottom. I hope adults who have common sense take actions with them for the US to be safer country. The future is for the young.” | “I was moved by the high school students challenging the government on the gun control issues,” Mieko Hattori, Yoshi’s mother, told the Guardian. “I felt something was changing at the bottom. I hope adults who have common sense take actions with them for the US to be safer country. The future is for the young.” |
| Mieko Hattori and her husband Masaichi Hattori added in an emailed statement: “Adults should treasure the wish of young people for their peaceful future.” | Mieko Hattori and her husband Masaichi Hattori added in an emailed statement: “Adults should treasure the wish of young people for their peaceful future.” |
| After Yoshi’s death, his parents gathered about 1.7 million Japanese and 250,000 American signatures on a petition calling for action. President Bill Clinton met the Hattoris in November 1993, and their campaign helped to build momentum for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which introduced background checks for people buying firearms. | After Yoshi’s death, his parents gathered about 1.7 million Japanese and 250,000 American signatures on a petition calling for action. President Bill Clinton met the Hattoris in November 1993, and their campaign helped to build momentum for the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which introduced background checks for people buying firearms. |
| The Hattoris still recall Yoshi’s fascination with US culture – and his hope that America might one day become his “second home”. His student exchange experience was meant to last for a year, but was cut short after just two and a half months. | The Hattoris still recall Yoshi’s fascination with US culture – and his hope that America might one day become his “second home”. His student exchange experience was meant to last for a year, but was cut short after just two and a half months. |
| Our guns reporter Lois Beckett has been speaking to marchers in Washington DC. | Our guns reporter Lois Beckett has been speaking to marchers in Washington DC. |
| Steve Craig, 64 and Maddie Craig, 21, from New Castle, PA | Steve Craig, 64 and Maddie Craig, 21, from New Castle, PA |
| The father and daughter came to Washington to show their support for the Parkland students, and to advocate for a ban on assault weapons. | The father and daughter came to Washington to show their support for the Parkland students, and to advocate for a ban on assault weapons. |
| “I think the second amendment [right to bear arms] needs to be repealed and amended. I don’t think the right to own a gun should be unlimited,” Steve Craig said. | “I think the second amendment [right to bear arms] needs to be repealed and amended. I don’t think the right to own a gun should be unlimited,” Steve Craig said. |
| Maddie Craig said she thought social media had changed the gun control debate, allowing students to speak directly to each other and share their experiences. “For Columbine, there wasn’t that social media presence.” Now, she said, “You can hear every student’s opinion. There’s a lot more awareness of what’s going on across America.” | Maddie Craig said she thought social media had changed the gun control debate, allowing students to speak directly to each other and share their experiences. “For Columbine, there wasn’t that social media presence.” Now, she said, “You can hear every student’s opinion. There’s a lot more awareness of what’s going on across America.” |
| Alice Gambino, 42, from Silver Spring, MD | Alice Gambino, 42, from Silver Spring, MD |
| Alice Gambino’s two sons, ages 15 and 8, were too afraid to come to the rally, worried that the large crowds would attract “gun crazies”, and that there might be another act of violence. | Alice Gambino’s two sons, ages 15 and 8, were too afraid to come to the rally, worried that the large crowds would attract “gun crazies”, and that there might be another act of violence. |
| “You don’t have to go. I’ll go for you,” she told them. | “You don’t have to go. I’ll go for you,” she told them. |
| Gambino said this was her first protest for gun control. “I think I was waiting for someone else to do something,” she said. | Gambino said this was her first protest for gun control. “I think I was waiting for someone else to do something,” she said. |
| “Seeing that the kids in the last attack had to rally themselves, I felt very guilty. We the parents should have already been in the streets and we shouldn’t have left until we made the change for them.” | “Seeing that the kids in the last attack had to rally themselves, I felt very guilty. We the parents should have already been in the streets and we shouldn’t have left until we made the change for them.” |
| Sakeenah Dasti, 16, Amanah Dasti, 11 and Ruqaiyah Dasti, 17, from Gaithersburg, Maryland | Sakeenah Dasti, 16, Amanah Dasti, 11 and Ruqaiyah Dasti, 17, from Gaithersburg, Maryland |
| “We haven’t forgotten what happened in Sandy Hook and Columbine and Virginia Tech. Those things happened a long time ago, and people tried putting them in the back of their minds, but we’re showing here that we haven’t forgotten about any of that,” said Ruqaiyah Dasti, 17. | “We haven’t forgotten what happened in Sandy Hook and Columbine and Virginia Tech. Those things happened a long time ago, and people tried putting them in the back of their minds, but we’re showing here that we haven’t forgotten about any of that,” said Ruqaiyah Dasti, 17. |
| The shooting that first affected her directly was Sandy Hook, she said. “I was very young,” she said. “I was nervous, I didn’t really understand what it was about. I remember being afraid.” | The shooting that first affected her directly was Sandy Hook, she said. “I was very young,” she said. “I was nervous, I didn’t really understand what it was about. I remember being afraid.” |
| For Amanah Dasti, 11, it was “when it happened here.” There was a school shooting nearby in Maryland just this past week. | For Amanah Dasti, 11, it was “when it happened here.” There was a school shooting nearby in Maryland just this past week. |