On March 24, the March for Our Lives protests brought together thousands of people across the United States to say “Never Again” to school shootings.

The Parkland, Florida, students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who experienced the Feb. 14 school shooting that left 17 dead, organized the march. The goal of the march was to spread awareness about gun violence, make a case for raising the legal age of purchase for guns, ban bump stocks, and demand mandatory background checks for gun purchases.

During the Washington, D.C., protest, Parkland student speakers used their voice and platform to help uplift minority communities that have been affected by gun violence for decades.

“We recognize that Parkland received more attention because of its affluence,” a Parkland shooting survivor, Jaclyn Corin, said during her speech on Saturday. “But we share this stage today and forever with those communities who have always stared down the barrel of a gun.”

The Parkland students invited speakers under the age of 21, who have been affected by gun violence, to speak at the event. Chicago students who face the realities of gun violence every day were present to speak at the event. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s granddaughter was also in attendance and she reminded the crowd that her grandfather was taken away because of a gun. Even celebrities like Jennifer Hudson — whose mother, brother and nephew were all victims of gun violence — performed and supported the cause.

Black activists also showed up in crowds to help protest gun violence and uplift safe education. Signs throughout the crowd punctuated everyone’s beliefs as the students addressed march-goers as “family." Everyone had a place for their voice to be heard, and they had strong messages to share.

Blavity spoke to two people in Washington, D.C., at the March for Our Lives and captured some of the powerful signs people created for the event.

“When I was 11 my father was murdered by gunshot and that changed my life,” Keith Holland, a March for Our Lives protester who wore a bulletproof vest, told Blavity. “I’m also a part of the LGBT+ community, so the tragedy in Orlando hit home for me. I marched today because I’m tired of the government restricting everything except the one thing that’s really ruining lives.”

“I marched because I believe assault weapons have no place in civilian society,” said 21-year-old California native Zia Thompson to Blavity. “Too many people from all communities and backgrounds have lost their lives to gun violence and it needs to change. Enough is enough. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. We need action.”

Some marchers used their signs to highlight the need for political change.

Others expressed the need for safer education.

Others used their signs at the event to share advice and wisdom on how to move forward peacefully.

Everyone has a seat at the table.

Emma Gonzalez

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