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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.
The March for our Lives organizers are weaponizing the NRA’s fear-mongering political videos, playing them before speeches as a sign of what they’re fighting against.
“I have a dream that enough is enough,” Yolanda said. “And that this should be a gun free world, period.”
Before rally organizer and Parkland student Sarah Chadwick spoke earlier in the rally, she was introduced with a video that juxtaposed clips of NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch’s “Your Time is Up” video, an attack on entertainers, media outlets, and the athletes taking a knee to protest police violence, with Chadwick’s parody of that same video.
She then asks the crowd to repeat back her words:
"To every spokeswoman with an hourglass who uses free speech to alter and undermine what our flag represents...Your Time is running out. The clock starts now."-@sarahchad_ #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/k29FB2vHPI
“Spread the word”
The cuts back and forth, between the high school activists who just survived a school shooting, and Loesch, a longtime conservative radio host and Fox News commenter, could not be sharper, and the high school students seem to relish juxtaposing their passionate, goofy activism agains the apocalyptic rhetoric the National Rifle Association has used for decades.
“Have you heard?”
D’Angelo McDade, a student from Chicago, takes the stage. He describes himself as a “victim and victor” of gun violence.
“All across the nation”
“When will we as a nation learn that we are not here to fight against one another, but we are here to fight for life and peace,” McDade says.
“We are going to be a great generation.”
“Violence cannot drive out violence, only peace can do that. Poverty cannot drive out poverty, only resources can do that. Death cannot drive out death, only pro-active life can do that.”
She lead the chant three times, encouraging the crowd to repeat her words “so the whole world can hear.”
He is talking about how he and his community are survivors of gun violence, and also survivors of having a lack of community resources and government support.
The Guardian’s Sam Levin is at the March for our Lives in Oakland, California.
The mile and a half stretch down the side of Central Park may have become familiar ground for protesting New Yorkers since their least favorite resident became president in 2016, writes Max Benwell in New York.
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.
But they joined the March for Our Lives with just as much energy and anger as they had for last year’s Women’s March and last April’s March for Science.
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
After a snowstorm two days earlier, the sun had decided to join them. It brought a sunny disposition to a demonstration that was as somber as it was uplifting, depending where you looked.
“This was organized by the youth, but it’s important that they know the adults in their lives are behind them.”
In some pockets people danced and beat drums, while in others the names of murdered students were held up, next to small children with signs demanding protection.
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.”
Teenage girls with signs plastered with Spongebob memes mixed with older protesters, babies in prams and cute dogs. On the sidelines, one group of elderly women distributed song sheets that featured We Shall Not Be Moved and Woody Guthrie’s This Land is Our Land.
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.”
However the impromptu “Hey hey, ho ho, the NRA has got to go” proved to be the most popular chant of the day.
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.”
The column of demonstrators started at 86th Street and proceeded down to 61st. Toward the finish line, the Trump International Tower loomed, and was met with a long stream of “Vote him out!”
Ruby Perez, 17 year old high school student, here in Oakland in solidarity with Parkland pic.twitter.com/WCp23MVSzQ
One man held up a copy of the latest Time magazine, with the trailblazing Florida activists Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg on its cover, while explaining to his female companions why he didn’t vote.
“The big message is we need to stop hate and violence,” she added.
“Silence is violence,” one of them shot back, putting a quick end to his speech.
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.
I’m at the #marchforourlives in New York and here’s a good sign pic.twitter.com/ENqQVlBbLa
“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.”
Tens of thousands of marchers passed Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in a respectful silence at the conclusion of Parkland’s March for Our Lives, writes Richard Luscombe, some laying flowers and weeping at the memorials still in place outside for the victims.
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.”
The tiny city of Parkland, population 31,500, was swamped by the sheer magnitude of today’s event, with busloads of marchers coming from all over South Florida. Road closures meant lengthy walks in 80F temperatures for many.
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
Rebecca Price-Taylor, of neighbouring Margate, was emotional as she walked by the school with her daughters Vilani, 11, Veronica, 10, Vivian, 8, and Vanessa, 7.
Christopher Underwood, whose 14-year-old brother was fatally shot in 2012, says he lost his childhood to gun violence.
“My daughters are only a few years from high school, and I don’t want them cowering in the corner of a classroom waiting to be murdered,” she said.
“At the time, I was only five-years-old,” Christopher, 11, said.
“Enough really is enough. No more of these weapons of war.”
“I turned my pain and anger into action.”
Parkland marchers arrive at Stoneman Douglas #marchforourlives pic.twitter.com/EmLLUbUryz
Christopher ends his speech by quoting Martin Luther King Jr: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Marjory Douglas Stoneman indeed! But the sentiments are real #marchforourlives pic.twitter.com/58IXykvlMz
“Our lives matter,” Christopher added.
“Our pain makes us family,” said Alex King, a student at North Lawndale College Prep in Chicago.
The Guardian profiled Christopher in 2016:
The 17-year-old is also part of the new anti-gun violence group, Good Kids Mad City.
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.
He spoke about the death of his nephew and how it drove him to do bad things.
Post says politicians are: “sick with soullessness, but we are the cure.”
“From my colleagues and friends, I found help to come out of a dark place,” he said.
He is describing the youth as the “new, diverse face of inclusiveness” for the US.
He acknowledged that not everyone has that available and that more resources need to be made available to address the systemic issues that help perpetuate gun violence.
Eleven-year-old Naomi Wadler is next on stage.
King ended his speech by leading the crowd in his family’s clapping tradition – an impressive feat given the crowd’s enormous size.
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.
“This is a moment of history that I want to be part of,” pop star Miley Cyrus, who sang onstage earlier, told Parkland special correspondent Nikhita Nookala. “This is what Happy Hippie, my foundation is: young people changing the way history is written before us.”
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.
Sam Fuentes, who was injured in the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas and still has shrapnel in her face, was just on stage.
“I’m here to say never again for those girls too. Everyone should value those girls too.”
The 18-year-old’s speech was briefly interrupted by an upset stomach, but Fuentes continued her remarks resilient as ever: “I just threw up on international television and it feels great.”
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 then led the crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday in honor of Nicholas Dworet, who was killed in the shooting. He would’ve turned 18 today and many of the Parkland students have mentioned him in their remarks.
She says she has “seven short years” until she has the right to vote.
Relatives of victims of the 1996 Dunblane school massacre in Scotland were among hundreds of people who protested outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday as part of a campaign for greater gun control in the US.
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.”
The shooting, which killed 16 five and six year olds along with their teacher, led the UK to bring in some of the strictest firearms legislation in the world, outlawing private ownership of most handguns. Gun massacres have been almost unknown in the UK since. Speakers at the Edinburgh rally, held in solidarity with today’s march, included Jack and Ellie Crozier, whose sister Emma was killed in the Dunblane shooting, and Ali Ross, whose sister Joanna also died.
My colleague Lois Beckett interviewed Naomi last week.
They read a letter of support to those affected by the Parkland tragedy. The letter, first published on the 22nd anniversary of the Dunblane shooting, stated: “Wherever you march, whenever you protest, however you campaign for a more sensible approach to gun ownership, we will be there with you in spirit.”
“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
Catherine Wilson, who lost her sister Mhairi in Dunblane, also took part in the event, reading her poem For Parkland/The Public I. “I am so overwhelmed and incredibly impressed by the teenagers in America who are walking out of schools and who are demonstrating today,” she said. “Today is a really important mix of both showing that anger and fighting against something that is incorrect, but also offering that support and that love really, to the students in America.”
Former president Barack Obama has tweeted his support for the March For Our Lives.
This is a video message Dunblane relatives recorded for the US marchers:
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.
Parkland student Nikhita Nookala has been speaking to Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr, and father of Yolanda King, who spoke at the march earlier today.
Donald Trump, who is at his golf club in Florida, has not yet tweeted about the protests.
This is the first time in many many years that high school students have led, really, a movement— this is the start of a movement. Tomorrow, literally, nothing will happen. But over a great period of time, change can occur.
The White House said in a statement this morning: “We applaud the many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today.”
Rightwing website Breitbart has its own unique take on the march, while the Fox News website is giving it less prominence than many other US news sites.
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.
How Breitbart and Fox News website are covering the march #march for our lives pic.twitter.com/byuHvHkcOd
Hogg has been one of the most prominent faces of the Parkland movement and his remarks today are focused on politics.
Student Aalayah Eastmond was in the third Marjory Stoneman Douglas class room to be attacked by the gunman.
Hogg gestured to the US Capitol behind him and said: “This is not cutting it.”
She says she is at the rally to speak for her classmates, as well as people killed in urban communities well before this teenager-led movement to end gun violence.
He is encouraging people to register to vote and participate in election.
“We need change, now,” she says.
“Let’s put the USA over the NRA.”
“All of our lives are important and all of our voices need to be heard.”
“There are people trying to suppress your vote,” he says. “We say no more! When politicians send thoughts and prayers we say no more!
Aalayah says her uncle died in an act of gun violence in Brooklyn, 15 years ago.
“I say to politicians : get your resumes ready!”
She says yes, she is a Marjory Stoneman Douglas student, but also: “Before this, I was a regular black girl. And after this, I am still black and still regular.”
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.
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.”
"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.
“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.
“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.”
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
