After the Florida State Legislature voted against the ban on assault weapons yesterday, the Parkland shooting survivors are continuing to fight for lawmakers to do more than give their “thoughts and prayers.” While the legislature’s voted against HB 219, this only inspired these teenager survivors to take their activism to the Florida State Capitol.
CNN reports that as the young activists marched down the halls of the Capitol building in Tallahassee, Florida, they urged lawmakers to ban the weapons that killed their friends, classmates and teachers. Chanting, “Vote them out,” as they made their way down the halls, it’s clear these survivors know how to make an entrance — and make themselves heard.
While these students have been empowered from the tragedy at their high school to urge lawmakers to create more stringent gun laws, it’s clear that they’re protesting Florida’s Capitol to ignore their pleas. The Los Angeles Times explains that these survivors organized this #NeverAgain walkout to ensure that a mass shooting of this capacity doesn’t happen again.
As NBC News expands, approximately 100 students journeyed over 450 miles to the state Capitol, which gave them plenty of time to deliberate their speeches and fine-tune their messages.
A junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Sheryl Acquarola, delivered a powerful message to CBS News, stating, “The next death of someone with an assault rifle here in Florida is going to be on them. It’s going to be on them, and it’s going to be their fault.” Clearly, Acquarola and her peers want to hold Florida lawmakers accountable for their decisions.
ABC News recorded another survivor’s compelling speech. Delaney Tarr says, “We’ve had enough of thoughts and prayers… so this is to every lawmaker out there… we are coming after every single one of you and demanding that you take action, demanding that you make a change.” Obviously, these survivors aren’t satisfied with the state’s decision.
Delaney Tarr, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student: “We’ve had enough of thoughts and prayers… so this is to every lawmaker out there… we are coming after every single one of you and demanding that you take action, demanding that you make a change.” (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/5CLQTyJPDu
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 21, 2018
Beyond point fingers, these survivors aim to advocate for stricter gun laws, so that students can attempt school without fear. And their battle to create a safer environment for students is just beginning, as NBC News reports that these survivors plan to take their protest to Washington on March 24.
On March 24, these survivors and their supporters will attend an event dubbed “March for Our Lives,” which has already gained the emotional and financial support of Oprah Winfrey, George and Amal Clooney and Steven Spielberg (just to name a few).
Though it’s poignant to see that a mass shooting ignited these young people’s passion for activism, to campaign for their beliefs, these survivors are substantial promoters of change, and hopefully, others will continue to join their movement.