Finally, the children had the courage to speak up against gun violence. It was an answer to the politicians who said, “Guns don’t kill people, people do”, and they have responded with, “Bullshit!”
Just listen to the repeated messages in their chanting, “We are done!” - “This why we march,” - “No more” - “Never again” - “Vote them out” - “Enough is enough!” and “We want change.”
And some of the stories:
“I learned to duck the bullets before I learned to read.”
“Bullets do not discriminate, so why should we.”
“Politicians who support the NRA choose death, People who march today choose life.”
“We are the voices of change”
Christopher Underwood, is 11 years old and lost his brother to gun violence. He has been working for years to combat violence.
He understands: “They (the politicians) will be home for the next two weeks, so go get them. “
“ In the end we are all fighting for lives.”
Martin Luther King’s granddaughter has her grandfather’s talent for speaking. And she had the crowd repeat this three times; “Have you heard all across the nation, we are going to be a great generation.”
“This is real life, this is what’s happening around the world.”
One of the most moving videos was from former military man who said that he believes in the second amendment, but also agreed that military type assault weapons should be banned for everyone but military and law enforcement.
The now Juniors from Newtown Elementary School, (they were in second grade) sent a message, “We have had enough of an NRA agenda.”
Emma Gonzalez read the names of the seventeen students who died, and spoke about what they would never do again. She ended on “would never again ….” She then stood 6 minutes and 20 seconds The time it took for the shooter to kill seventeen people.
Followed by Jennifer Hudson singing “The times they are a changing.”
Best signs:
“Guns have more rights than my vaginia.”
“Love over Lead”
“Kids over campaign contributions.”
Among my favorites, because it showed the sensitivities of a child, was the young man who, at the end of his powerful speech, added “hello” to his Uncle Myron.
Whoever was responsible for the program and podium did a remarkable job. At so many specific issue rallies the message is diluted by other issues, and people with their own agendas. Not so today. They all addressed the same issue.
It reminded me of the ’60's protests. the war, civil rights, women’s rights and human rights. And the music today was so powerful. Much like the protest songs of Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, Arlo Guthrie, Crosby Stills and Nash who wrote “Ohio” after the National Guard murdered four students during a protest at Kent State in Ohio. One dead student, Allison Krause was simply walking across the campus. So many of us thought, there but for God go I. It was a call for us to unite.
“Tin soldiers and Nixon’s coming…
We’re finally on our own
This summer I hear the drumming
Four dead in Ohio….”
Today the powerful music came from Ben Platt, Lin-Manuel, Jennifer Hudson and the Drama Club and Choir who came from Parkland. But here’s the most important line from Lin Manuel’s “Hamilton” — “Tomorrow there will be more of us”
Hooray for Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg and all those remarkable passionate and articulate students who spoke. We’re just sayin’… Iris