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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) | |
| Jaclyn Corin, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas student, just brought on stage Martin Luther King Jr’s granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King. | |
| “I have a dream that enough is enough,” Yolanda said. “And that this should be a gun free world, period.” | |
| She then asks the crowd to repeat back her words: | |
| “Spread the word” | |
| “Have you heard?” | |
| “All across the nation” | |
| “We are going to be a great generation.” | |
| She lead the chant three times, encouraging the crowd to repeat her words “so the whole world can hear.” | |
| The Guardian’s Sam Levin is at the March for our Lives in Oakland, California. | |
| Jennie Drummond, a 26-year-old high school teacher, said she came to the Oakland march, because the Parkland shooting has impacted her school and is something that has left some of her students feeing afraid. | |
| Jennie Drummond, high school teacher at Oakland March, said she has told her students she would stand between them and an intruder. pic.twitter.com/ktCZzvmRG3 | |
| “This was organized by the youth, but it’s important that they know the adults in their lives are behind them.” | |
| Drummond said she has been forced to think about what she would do if a gunman showed up at her school: “There’s a lot more stress in my life,” she said, adding that she has made clear to her students: “I will be between them and an intruder.” | |
| She said she is prepared to put her life on the line for students, but that it’s a terrifying prospect. She said she would like politicians to know: “I would like to not get shot at work.” | |
| Ruby Perez, a 17-year-old student, said she came to show solidarity with the Parkland students: “We will fight so no kids have to go through this ... Our generation, we are not going to take it anymore. We are here to stand with them.” | |
| Ruby Perez, 17 year old high school student, here in Oakland in solidarity with Parkland pic.twitter.com/WCp23MVSzQ | |
| “The big message is we need to stop hate and violence,” she added. | |
| Maclaine Bamberger, 17, and Ruby Baden-Lasar, 17, said they go to a sheltered private school and wanted to be sure their community was engaged in the activism. | |
| “This is something that unites us on all fronts all over the world,” said Baden-Lasar. “It’s really about safety in schools, in the streets, in concerts, everywhere ... It’s uniting us all in a sad way.” | |
| Bamberger said the march was just the start: “This is teaching our generation of kids to be empowered and speak up. We are seeing people our age being the most amazing activists ... It’s giving us hope.” | |
| Maclaine Bamberger, 17, and Ruby Baden-Lasar, 17, said they go to a sheltered private school and wanted to be sure their community was engaged in the activism today. pic.twitter.com/7HkVj8zgsD | |
| Christopher Underwood, whose 14-year-old brother was fatally shot in 2012, says he lost his childhood to gun violence. | |
| “At the time, I was only five-years-old,” Christopher, 11, said. | |
| “I turned my pain and anger into action.” | |
| Christopher ends his speech by quoting Martin Luther King Jr: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” | |
| “Our lives matter,” Christopher added. | |
| The Guardian profiled Christopher in 2016: | |
| Matt Post, an 18-year-old from Montgomery County in Maryland, is speaking about the “cold inaction” of American lawmakers in regards to gun violence and the systemic issues that perpetuate it. | |
| Post says politicians are: “sick with soullessness, but we are the cure.” | |
| He is describing the youth as the “new, diverse face of inclusiveness” for the US. | |
| Eleven-year-old Naomi Wadler is next on stage. | |
| She says she led a walk-out at her elementary school on 14 March, adding a minute to the 17 minute walk-out for each of the Parkland victims for Courtlin Arrington, a 17-year-old gun crime victim from Alabama. | |
| Naomi said she was there to speak up for “the African-American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper, whose stories don’t lead on the evening news, the African-American women who are simply statistics instead of vibrant, beautiful girls full of potential. | |
| “I’m here to say never again for those girls too. Everyone should value those girls too.” | |
| She adds – in a reference to rightwing conspiracy theories about many of the students who have spoken up since the Parkland massacre – “People have said I’m too young to have these thoughts on my own … that I’m a tool of some nameless adult. It’s not true. My friends and I might still be 11 but we know life isn’t equal for everyone and we know what is right and wrong.” | |
| She says she has “seven short years” until she has the right to vote. | |
| And she closes her short and powerful speech by quoting Toni Morrison: “If there’s a book that you want to read and it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.” | |
| My colleague Lois Beckett interviewed Naomi last week. | |
| “Everyone thought it would be a good idea,” to add a minute to their elementary school walkout to honor Courtlin Arrington, said Carter, 11. “She was studying to be a nurse. She could have saved peoples lives.” pic.twitter.com/mVab1e1qdG | |
| Former president Barack Obama has tweeted his support for the March For Our Lives. | |
| Michelle and I are so inspired by all the young people who made today’s marches happen. Keep at it. You’re leading us forward. Nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change. | |
| Donald Trump, who is at his golf club in Florida, has not yet tweeted about the protests. | |
| The White House said in a statement this morning: “We applaud the many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today.” | |
| Marjory Stoneman Douglas student David Hogg is on stage, where he posted a price tag to point out how much money Florida senator Marco Rubio has taken from the National Rifle Association. | |
| Hogg has been one of the most prominent faces of the Parkland movement and his remarks today are focused on politics. | |
| Hogg gestured to the US Capitol behind him and said: “This is not cutting it.” | |
| He is encouraging people to register to vote and participate in election. | |
| “Let’s put the USA over the NRA.” | |
| “There are people trying to suppress your vote,” he says. “We say no more! When politicians send thoughts and prayers we say no more! | |
| “I say to politicians : get your resumes ready!” | |
| He ends the speech shouting: “We can and we will change the world.” | |
| 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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.” | “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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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.” | “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?” | “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.” | “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.” | “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. | The speakers so far have been 19-years-old and younger. |
| A recurring theme of the march has been voting. | A recurring theme of the march has been voting. |
| Between almost every speaker they crowd is chanting: “Vote them out! Vote them out!” | 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. | 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”). | 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.” | 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. | 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. | 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 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.” | “I learned to duck from gun bullets before I could read.” |
| Chavez spoke about her brother, Ricardo, dying in a shooting. | 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. | “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 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.” | “I carry that trauma with me everywhere I go.” |
| "I learned how to duck from bullets before I learned how to read." This should NOT be our normal. We stand with you, Edna. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/S3lpkc5Qeh | |
| She talks about how gun violence has been customary in southern Los Angeles for decades. | She talks about how gun violence has been customary in southern Los Angeles for decades. |
| “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.” | “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. | 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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. | 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.”. | “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. | 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. | 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.” | “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 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.” | “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. | 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. | 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 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 | "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 | Delaney Tarr's powerful message is a reminder that this movement relies on the persistence and passion of people #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/qUkwWrgGKX |