Schoolchildren Who Survived The Florida Shooting Were Criticized For Organizing A March
NEWS
Schoolchildren Who Survived The Florida Shooting Were Criticized For Organizing A March
Students of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Florida, have organized a march to protest the gun laws in the US. The deadly shooting took lives of 17 people and injured at least 14.
The next day after this horrible event, students and activists have asked their peers around the country to demand action. So far, two major protests have been planned in March. Both of them will focus on calling Congress to act on gun violence.
Women’s March organizers who help children to set everything up made a statement:
Students and staff have the right to teach and learn in an environment free from the worry of being gunned down in their classrooms or on their way home from school. Parents have the right to send their kids to school in the mornings and see them home alive at the end of the day.
Alex Wind, one of the survivors of the Florida shooting, commented:
We’re marching because it’s not just schools. It’s movie theaters, it’s concerts, it’s nightclubs. This kind of stuff can’t just happen. You know, we are marching for our lives, we’re marching for the 17 lives we lost. And we’re marching for our children’s lives and our children’s children and their children.
But not everyone is supporting the children’s call for action.
Kambree Kawahine Koa, VP of Field Relations in Orange County, CA, addressed a lot of criticism concerning the march.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/LSROUay2df
— Kambree Kawahine Koa (@KamVTV) February 12, 2018
She took to Twitter to voice her opinion:
It’s quite interesting that the children survivors haven’t even buried their friends, grieve, get over shock but have had the time to plan for a march, come up with a creative hashtag, get their story to all media outlets all in such a short amount time….. #MarchForOurLives
— Kambree Kawahine Koa (@KamVTV) February 18, 2018
Her post wasn’t left unnoticed. Florida’s school shooting survivor, Kyra, had a strong answer to that:
Many of us have been attending funerals everyday since Friday. Having to see our friends in caskets is the reason why we are speaking up and making time for activism. So until you go through what we are going through, you have no right to criticize us. https://t.co/L0bgL8Qrtt
— kyra (@longlivekcx) February 19, 2018
Kyra’s words have been backed up by many people:
I had 2 today, I have another tomorrow, another on Tuesday, and one on Thursday. I saw my friend dead in the hallway and idek when hers is
— Sarah//a surviving warrior???? (@SarahStricker) February 19, 2018
Kyra, I wish you could know how many of us are behind you. Don’t read the hater stuff–you don’t need that right now.
— Donna M. Johnson (@DonnaMJohnson3) February 20, 2018
For every 1 person criticizing you, you have 10 supporting you. We’re behind you!
— Pablito (@Dinamico_7) February 19, 2018
You are so articulate. I’m happy to stand with you all as your organize.
— Zak Sloan (@Zak_Sloan) February 19, 2018
Thank you for standing up, even through your grief and disbelief. My son’s high school has had more than three threats this year alone. Some would rather bullet-proof classrooms than restrict guns. Your efforts will SAVE other kids. #ProtectKidsNotGuns
— Profesora (@jschillerHRE) February 19, 2018
Sometimes taking action is the best thing to do to honor your friends’ memories. Let no victim have died in vain. We hear you loud and clear. Stay strong and we’re all behind you. #douglasstrong
— Anna Small Books (@AnnaSmallBooks) February 19, 2018
went through this at Virginia Tech 11 years ago & I’m so sorry that we haven’t stopped this from happening yet. I’m in awe of your strength.
— Liz M Hull (@lizmhull) February 19, 2018
It’s hard to say whether the march will make any changes. Usually, calls for actions around guns and gun violence go nowhere. But there’s always hope that the needed changes will be made.