By Christine Nelson | Observer Contributor
Photos by Brianna Stevens
A student-led March for Our Lives in Boston attracted tens of thousands of people to the Boston Common on Saturday, March 24. The March, which combined energy, outrage, defiance, and determination, denounced gun violence in America and urged for far stricter gun control laws.
Thousands of students started the March at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School in Roxbury. Marchers walked two miles down Columbus St. and arrived at the Boston Common for the rally, chanting “Enough is enough.” A sea of people and signs on the Common greeted the students with cheers, clapping, and music.
Speakers told of all forms of gun violence in America, not forgetting the 96 people who die every day from gun violence, or how communities of color are disproportionately affected. Students’ fear that they will fall victim to a shooting was palpable. Speeches by students implored people to get involved and to vote.
Leonor Muñoz, survivor of the February shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, gave an emotionally raw speech with her sister Beca, a student at Northeastern University, about their grief.
Graciela Mohamedi, a Marine veteran and physics teacher, severely criticized the idea of arming teachers in her speech. She commented that police officers have a 20% hit rate. And asked, how are overworked teachers supposed to do better?
A March volunteer, Orianna, a Junior at Wheelock College, commented, “I grew up with school shootings being the norm. I remember hearing about Sandy Hook and crying. It kept happening over and over. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. I’m here because lives matter. I want the government to make a change. Listen to the students.”
Julian Diego Lopez-Leyva, a 19-year-old student at Bunker Hill Community College, was the March’s leader. Nearly all volunteers for the March were students.
A woman at the rally, Lisa Arlington, age 61, commented, “As my generation is aging, it is critical that these young people are at the helm. I’m encouraged. They are the future.”
The March was peaceful. Small groups of counter protestors were separated from March participators by the police. No arrests were made.
The Boston March was a sister event to the central March for Our Lives in Washington D.C. and one of at least 800 events across the country and around the world.
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