The Youth Speaking for our Lives
From all of the different marches/rallies/stories heading the fight to end gun violence in America, those of the children are the loudest and most powerful. They are taking control of the country using their minds and their words to spread the word and to share their experiences. Children shouldn't have to beg for their lives but there's an inspiration to what they say and what they've achieved.
Here are just a few from the March for our Lives event at Washington DC who showcased what this fight is about and why we fight for it.
Emma Gonzalez - 18
One of the most recognizable faces leading the student movement for gun control, was not alone.
Tears could be seen throughout the crowd, from a pain still fresh that is used to fuel the fire she posses in hopes of helping to ensure what has happened to her and her classmates happens #NeverAgain.
Six minutes, and about 20 seconds. In a little over six minutes, 17 of our friends were taken from us, 15 more were injured, and everyone, absolutely everyone in the Douglas community was forever altered. Everyone who was there understands. Everyone who has been touched by the cold grip of gun violence understands. For us, long, tearful, chaotic hours in the scorching afternoon sun were spent not knowing.
No one understood the extent of what had happened. No one could believe that there were bodies in that building waiting to be identified for over a day. No one knew that the people who were missing had stopped breathing long before any of us had even known that a code red had been called. No one could comprehend the devastating aftermath, or how far this would reach, or where this would go.
For those who still can't comprehend, because they refuse to, I'll tell you where it went. Six feet into the ground, six feet deep.
Six minutes and 20 seconds with an AR-15, and my friend Carmen would never complain to me about piano practice. Aaron Feis would never call Kyra "miss sunshine," Alex Schachter would never walk into school with his brother Ryan, Scott Beigel would never joke around with Cameron at camp, Helena Ramsay would never hang around after school with Max, Gina Montalto would never wave to her friend Liam at lunch, Joaquin Oliver would never play basketball with Sam or Dylan. Alaina Petty would never, Cara Loughren would never, Chris Hixon would never, Luke Hoyer would never, Martin Duque Anguiano would never, Peter Wang would never, Alyssa Alhadeff would never, Jamie Guttenberg would never, Jamie Pollack would never.
It was then that Gonzalez fell silent, only speaking once more after a time beeped, telling her it had been six minutes and 20 seconds since she'd taken the stage. The silence was extremely evocative, and isn't done justice by the transcript ― you can watch it in the video embedded below.
Six minutes and 20 seconds — the time it took a gunman to kill 17 students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where she is a student.
"Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and 20 seconds," she said. "The shooter has ceased shooting, and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape, and walk free for an hour before arrest. Fight for your lives before it's someone else's job."" Gonzalez said before ending her speech.
