by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
According to a news article featured two days ago on HuffPost, at least seventy-three teenagers have been shot to death in the United States since the school shooting that killed seventeen people, mostly students, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14th.
The bloody carnage goes on, just as it always has, but this time there is a faint glimmer of hope that things may be starting to change. The students from Parkland, the ones who survived that bloody Valentine's Day, have proven themselves to be angrier and more determined to change things than the nation had come to expect from the survivors of school shootings. The Parkland students rose up in a furious collective presence and told the world "enough is enough!" In just five short weeks they have brought about changes in gun laws in their home state of Florida, and have moved members of Congress and the President of the United States into openly discussing the once-forbidden subject of placing some limitations on the American public's ability to arm themselves - often with military-grade weapons and accessories.
The young people from Parkland have lobbied legislators, made public speeches and appeals, called for school walkouts, and have been instrumental in organizing a national day of marches and protests. Today many of them are in Washington, DC, participating in what is being billed as a "March for Our Lives," while other students - and parents and teachers and others who share their concerns about the easy availability of guns in the United States - are marching in cities and communities across the country.
The Parkland students have created and fostered a powerful movement, and today that movement is flexing its muscle. Smart politicians will be paying attention.
Two weeks ago Barack and Michelle Obama sent a very personal handwritten note to the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The Obamas, always a class act, had this to say:
One class act giving support and encouragement to another.
Stand strong and march hard, American youth. You are standing and marching for all of us!
Citizen Journalist
According to a news article featured two days ago on HuffPost, at least seventy-three teenagers have been shot to death in the United States since the school shooting that killed seventeen people, mostly students, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14th.
The bloody carnage goes on, just as it always has, but this time there is a faint glimmer of hope that things may be starting to change. The students from Parkland, the ones who survived that bloody Valentine's Day, have proven themselves to be angrier and more determined to change things than the nation had come to expect from the survivors of school shootings. The Parkland students rose up in a furious collective presence and told the world "enough is enough!" In just five short weeks they have brought about changes in gun laws in their home state of Florida, and have moved members of Congress and the President of the United States into openly discussing the once-forbidden subject of placing some limitations on the American public's ability to arm themselves - often with military-grade weapons and accessories.
The young people from Parkland have lobbied legislators, made public speeches and appeals, called for school walkouts, and have been instrumental in organizing a national day of marches and protests. Today many of them are in Washington, DC, participating in what is being billed as a "March for Our Lives," while other students - and parents and teachers and others who share their concerns about the easy availability of guns in the United States - are marching in cities and communities across the country.
The Parkland students have created and fostered a powerful movement, and today that movement is flexing its muscle. Smart politicians will be paying attention.
Two weeks ago Barack and Michelle Obama sent a very personal handwritten note to the students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The Obamas, always a class act, had this to say:
“We wanted to let you know how inspired we have been by the resilience, resolve and solidarity that you have all shown in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.”
“Not only have you supported and comforted each other, but you’ve helped awaken the conscience of the nation, and challenged decision-makers to make the safety of our children the country’s top priority.
"Throughout our history, young people like you have led the way in making America better. There may be setbacks; you may sometimes feel like progress is too slow in coming. But we have no doubt you are going to make an enormous difference in the days and years to come, and we will be there for you.”
One class act giving support and encouragement to another.
Stand strong and march hard, American youth. You are standing and marching for all of us!
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