(Washington, DC) — The March for Our Lives rally is wrapping up in Washington, DC. The estimated audience of 500-thousand plus heard from student speakers from across the U.S. affected by gun violence, including several students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Florida. One of the last speakers was MSD student Emma Gonzalez who stood in silence for several minutes. She then said “Since the time I came out here, it has been six minutes 20 seconds, and the shooter has ceased shooting and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape… Fight for your lives before it is someone else’s job.” That was followed by a stirring rendition of “The Times They Are A-Changin” by Jennifer Hudson with the D.C. Choir. Years ago Hudson’s mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew were murdered in her hometown of Chicago
Students came from all over to share their stories of gun violence, push for stricter gun laws, a warn politicians that they will vote them out of office if they don’t act. D.C. student Zion Kelley, talked about his 16-year-old brother Zaire who was shot and killed and his family’s work to pass the Zaire Kelly Public Safety Zone Amendments Act of 2018 — which would expand safe passage zones for students. Eleven-year-old Naomi Wadler of Alexandria, Virginia, talked about the walkout she helped lead at her elementary school earlier this month. A surprise guest got the crowd going when a Stoneman Douglas survivor brought on stage Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s granddaughter, Yolanda Renee King.
The crowd was treated to a number of performances from some A-list stars, including Demi Lovato, Lin Manuel Miranda, Vic Mensa, Miley Cyrus, and Ariana Grande. Other rallies took place in cities from coast to coast including New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and in also in Parkland, Florida, the birthplace of this current movement.
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John McDade/acc WDC) FL) IL) NY) LAX) CA) BOS) MA)
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