Treasure Coast Students are standing up and creating change
Here on the Treasure Coast, high school students joined fellow students from around the country and walked out of their classes at noon. At Port St Lucie high school, students gathered in the on campus football stadium, and then marched to the fence surrounding the school carrying signs and crying out “We want change”.
The school walkouts, some planned and some spontaneous, occurred from Sebastian to Stuart.
Other demonstrations occurred at Martin County and Fort Pierce Central high schools. Fort Pierce Central students say the demonstrations will continue into next week, with what they are calling a “Week of Speak”.
About 150 people also gathered on the front steps of the Indian River County Courthouse to call for changes to gun laws.
The shooting reignited the passionate national discussion on gun laws and how to keep communities safe. It has catalyzed a protest movement led by the young students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Students from all over the world have been inspired.
Our children are rising with hope and love. We are seeing one amazing child after another. Smart. Eloquent. Determined. Inspired.
Martin county high students
Meanwhile in Tallahassee
Survivors of the massacre at Parkland asked lawmakers in Tallahassee to approve some common sense gun laws.
While the Parkland students were lobbying inside the capitol, thousands more rallied outside.
Student Florence Yard said if lawmakers do not heed those calls, they will be voted out of office.
Students from Florida State University and Florida A&M University showed up in Tallahassee to support the teens.
President Trump hosted a White House listening session on gun violence and school security yesterday. Fighting back tears, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Julia Cordover said no one should ever have to go through such an experience again.
Melissa Blank, mother of high school student Jonathan Blank, pleaded for “change.” Vice President Mike Pence expressed hope that it is the “last time this ever happens.” Invitees include victims and families affected by school shootings dating back several years.
Major League Baseball is stepping up to the plate to honor the high school shooting victims in Parkland.
All 30 teams are preparing to wear Marjory Stoneman Douglas caps before games this weekend, according to Major League Baseball. MLB also says the teams will have an option to wear the caps in-game. The New York Mets have already announced that they will wear the caps during batting practice and the team’s home opener tomorrow vs Atlanta. After the game the caps will be signed and auctioned off in support of the official victims fund via the Broward Education Foundation. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 tomorrow afternoon at First Data Field in Port St Lucie.
Survivors of the massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, took center stage at a town hall hosted by CNN as thousands of community members cheered on the young people thrust into the national spotlight by a massacre that killed 17 people.
