There was a March for Our Lives in Tampa and Orlando on Saturday, Mar. 24, 2018, for individuals to come together as a community for a common purpose to voice their opinions on what was going on in the country with gun reform.
The movement of “March for Our Lives” was started and organized by students of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as a result of the mass shooting that happened in their school on February 14, 2018.
One of the people, who attended the March for Our Lives in Tampa is Wakens Leonard, a sophomore, double majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He mentioned his experience at the march as well as the importance of it.
“March for Our Lives was an insightful experience, and it opened my eyes. When we arrived there we were shocked at all these people that were standing there for what they believed in just like us. Everyone out there came for the same reason which was gun reform,” said Leonard.
Leonard added why he decided to go to the protest as he shared his personal experience of handling armed weapons.
“What influenced me to go is that I want to go into law enforcement and I’ve shot multiple types guns before. Yet, I can’t let that blind me to what is going on in our country. You don’t really understand the power that a weapon has until you are behind it pulling the trigger,” said Leonard.
Leonard shared his thoughts on senseless gun violence and about how the public can come together to standing for what they believe in.
“You see these constant headlines of people who have been murdered due to gun violence; it’s just wrong, and the least we as humans can do is work together to get some type of reform,” said Leonard.
There were at least 800 rallies that were held in different states across country, according to CBS News. Most of them were led by high school students, and done to encourage government officials to implement gun law reform.
Leonard, as an attendee to one of these marches, gives his perspective on the motivations behind March for Our Lives protestors.
“People that have and people that have never shot a gun were in attendance as well. What’s important to remember is that, we’re not trying to change or get rid of the entire second amendment around. All we are saying is that a little reform will not hurt anyone. We were out there being the voice of the 17 people killed in the Parkland shooting, and various other shootings in the United States. We were one people, fighting, and honoring the students that lost their lives and hopefully preventing more,” said Leonard.
There were thousands of individuals across the country who protested and not simply in honor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas students but also other mass shootings, such as Columbine High school shooting, with some survivors of the Columbine Shooting attending a protest in Denver.
Mr. Frank Orlando, an instructor of political science at Saint Leo University, elaborates on youth voters and their impact on gun reform.
“I think the protests are showcasing a very energized electorate, but I’m still not sure how well that energy will translate to votes, particularly in the midterm elections. Will younger voters actually come out this November? I think we have to see it to believe it. As the issue starts to fade into the background, will people carry that intensity into November? It’s tough to maintain that while the issue loses salience,” said Orlando.
On Mar. 24, 2018, there were not only March for our Lives protests, there were also counter protests. In fact, pro-gun activists held protests as well to counter the protests for stricter gun laws. Orlando compares the voting habits of pro-gun activists with those seeking stricter gun laws.
“On the other hand, pro-gun voters are much more reliable and tend to [be]more willing to vote on that one issue. This makes it more difficult for those hoping to implement stricter gun laws to convince politicians to side with them,” said Orlando.
Students were not the only one who were in forefront when protesting for stricter gun laws; teachers were leading protests even before March for Our Lives were held. According to The New York Times, on February 26, 2018, teachers in Tallahassee, Florida, gathered to protest Trump’s suggestion on arming teachers to help protect schools from gun violence. Teachers along with students and other adults, attended the protest. According to New York Daily News, teachers expressed how they do not believe that arming themselves would be good safety tactics for the students in their classroom. The teachers collectively disagreed with President Trump new law that he suggested.
On February 23, 2018, Governor Rick Scott spoke in Tallahassee about the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas and legislation. In particular, he said to the families who had lost loved ones:
“To the families of all the victims, including Tony Montalvo, the father of Gina, and Gena Hoyer, the mother of Luke, who is also with us today – I know there is nothing we could ever do to ease your pain. But know that through the passage of this legislation, the state of Florida will forever honor the incredible impact your loved ones have had on our state. They will never be forgotten.”
The House Representatives ignored the National Rifle Association, which oppose the active legislation firearm restrictions for Florida, when they passed new gun law reforms. Florida’s newly gun control and safety bill, which is titled “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act,” was passed by the Florida Senate on Mar. 5 by a 20 to 18 vote and by the House of Representatives on Mar. 7 by a 67-50 vote. Governor Rick Scott signed the bill into law on Friday, Mar. 9, 2018.
In the midst nationwide discussion of gun reform, Leonard inspired his generation to make a difference.
“Our generation is a generation of change so we should go out there and be that change.”
And the protest in Florida did just that.
