In D.C., students, adults rally against gun violence
Hundreds of thousands of people from across the country converged on Washington, D.C. March 24 to participate in the anti-gun-violence rally March for Our Lives.
The rally was organized by students who survived the February mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. In between calls to, “Vote them out,” protesters demanded a comprehensive bill be brought before Congress to address gun issues in the United States.
"The cold grasp of corruption shackles the District of Columbia," said David Hogg, Parkland survivor and one of the event’s organizers, while addressing the crowd. "The winter is over. Change is here. The sun shines on a new day, and the day is ours."
Marches were held nationwide and around the world – including Lewes and Rehoboth.
Local students share D.C. experience
Caesar Rodney High School sophomores Noelle Ruggiero and Lillian Ayers attended the March For Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C., with a Sussex Progressives bus. Here is a brief recounting of their thoughts.
Why did you attend the rally in D.C.?
Ruggiero: I wanted to have the opportunity to meet people from across the country who are exposed to different environments and had different stories to share about their experiences with gun violence.
Ayers: I personally wanted to hear what the Parkland students and other gun violence victims had to say. It has been a long time coming, but I believe that a wave of change is on its way.
Why was it important to attend the rally?
Ruggiero: As students we have the right to expect that our schools are a safe environment to learn, and that we should not have to fear for our lives while attending.
Ayers: I believe that when many people come together for the same cause, things change.
Did you guys participate in the walkout a couple weeks ago?
Ruggerio: I did participate, and it was definitely a risk to take considering our district did not support it. Eventually it was clear that exercising my right to free speech and advocating for something I strongly believe in outweighed any consequences I would receive.
Ayers: I did participate. I planned on participating anyway because this movement is important, and every person who participates helps it move along and gain advocates.
Cape Gazette poll results
In the weeks since the Parkland, Fla., killings, the Cape Gazette has had four poll questions related to gun control, safety and legislation. Here are the unscientific results to our questions.
Yes - 39%
No - 55%
Not sure - 6%
Total votes - 853 • Is a nonpartisan agreement on gun control possible?
Yes - 27%
No - 57%
Maybe - 16%
Total votes - 664 • Should we raise the age to 21 to buy any gun?
Yes - 67%
No - 30%
Not sure - 3%
Total votes - 817 • Would you/your group be interested in active shooter training?
Yes - 40%
No - 55%
Not sure - 4%
Total votes - 601
See more in the Friday, March 30, edition of the Cape Gazette.
Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.
