Image: Screenshot/ABC News
Americans from several parts of the country assembled in large numbers – estimated to be hundreds of thousands – in the shadow of the Capitol Hill to seek strict gun control measures in the wake of last month’s deadly shooting in a Florida school that claimed 17 lives.
“March for Our Lives” saw activists, politicians and parents join students in pressing their demand for gun reform as they called upon legislators to do everything in their power to curb alarmingly frequent incidents of gun violence and school shootings.
“Not as Democrats or Republicans but as Americans,” a student emphasized while asking political leaders to enact legislation that may stem gun violence.
The demonstrators raised their voice with slogans and written messages on placards, calling all leaders to put students before guns, and especially ban sale of automatic weapons.
Slogans like “No more” reverberated as student after student – some from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida – delivered their emotional messages for safety and security of the current and future generations.
The nationwide marches may set the momentum for an intense political debate on gun violence issues in the midterm election year with high stakes for both parties.
The D.C. march is among hundreds of marches taking place in all states.
The issue of strict gun control checks has been divisive among Americans and on the Capitol Hill along political lines. While 90 percent of Democrats back protective measures, 50 percent of Republicans support the idea.
But the Parkland school shooting has spotlighted the issue, the role of politicians, and the influence of National Rifle Association which strongly defends the people’s right to own weapons under the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and also contributes finances to election campaigns.
According to The March for Our Lives organizers the demonstration has drawn support from high-profile figures including actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, an attorney who donated $500,000 to the march. Popular TV anchor Oprah Winfrey, film director Steven Spielberg and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg have also contributed matching donations.
Virginia’s top leaders including Governor Ralph Northam attended the rally to support the cause of safety and security of students
