The raw emotion and depth of her address will leave you in tears. Since the tragic events at Columbine, we have witnessed a heartbreaking series of mass shootings, making the quest for a safer environment for our children seem increasingly elusive. However, the emergence of young advocates who initiated the #MarchForOurLives movement has ignited a renewed sense of hope across the nation.
Long before noon, the streets of Washington, D.C. were filled with participants, while countless others gathered in cities nationwide. The visual representation of this movement is striking, showcasing a significant segment of the populace declaring “no more” to gun violence.
Among the most impactful moments of the march were the heartfelt speeches from young individuals directly affected by gun violence. Students from Parkland, along with voices from South L.A. and Chicago, shared their personal narratives, conveying a powerful message.
Emma Lopez, arguably the most prominent figure in the March for Our Lives initiative, took the stage towards the end of the event. “No one could fathom the devastating consequences or the extent of this tragedy,” she stated. “For those who still struggle to understand, I can tell you where it leads. Right into the ground, six feet below.”
In a striking moment during her speech, Lopez paused and stood silently on stage for several minutes. Her entire address lasted approximately six minutes and 20 seconds—the same duration it took for the shooter to claim the lives of 17 individuals and injure 15 more at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Another powerful voice at the event was 17-year-old Mia Johnson from Los Angeles, who lost her brother to gun violence. She spoke candidly about the normalization of violence in her community. “This is normal. It’s become routine for me to duck from bullets before I even learned to read,” she expressed. Mia highlighted the need for a shift in focus, advocating for a restorative justice approach instead of criminalizing students. “We must address the root causes of our issues and work towards effective resolutions,” she urged.
Young Naomi Thompson, just 11 years old, delivered one of the most poised and impactful speeches in history. “I am here to represent the African-American girls whose stories rarely make headlines, whose experiences don’t dominate the news,” she proclaimed.
To reiterate: SHE IS ONLY 11. Naomi’s words challenge the privilege surrounding media portrayals of gun violence, urging for a more inclusive narrative.
These young advocates are not just alright; they are on fire with passion and determination, ready to lead the charge for a safer future. Anyone who witnesses their speeches cannot help but feel inspired to advocate for change.
No child should be forced to deliver such speeches; they should not reside in environments where gun violence permeates their lives. However, the reality is that they do—and soon they will be the ones voting for legislators who prioritize gun control and safety measures that do not involve militarizing educators or law enforcement. They are poised to achieve what previous generations have not, but we must acknowledge the profound sacrifices they have made to gain this platform.
These children deserve so much more, and although we cannot erase their trauma, perhaps their courage will help halt the senseless violence that has brought us to this point.
This article was originally published on March 24, 2018.