By Claire DuMont
Opinion Editor
Normally in the wake of a tragic mass shooting, the same debates arise about the right ways to handle gun control. However, in the case of the recent school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the movement that followed was different. This time, it is instead the students who survived the tragedy taking action and creating a movement that ensures Parkland is the last school shooting ever.
Twenty survivors of the Feb. 14 shooting, when a gunman killed 14 students and three staff members, created the Never Again Marjory Stoneman Douglas movement. The creators of the movement include students Sarah Chadwick, Emma González, David Hogg, Alfonso Calderon, Jaclyn Corin and Cameron Kasky. The students created a national movement, with millions of followers on social media, all from Cameron Kasky’s house, while some of them were even in their pajamas.
As stated on the Never Again MSD facebook page, the movement is “run by survivors of the Stoneman Douglas shooting… sick of the Florida lawmakers choosing money from the NRA over our safety. #NeverAgain.” They are student activists who are making real changes.
On Feb. 17, a gun control rally in Fort Lauderdale brought the movement in to the public eye. González’s gave a rousing speech calling out politicians and their “thoughts and prayers” that highlighted the fact that many of them take campaign donations from the NRA.
Within a few days of the shooting, the students had already created—and nearly completely organized—the March for Our Lives, a national protest taking place in cities across the United States on Mar. 24. The organization that also planned the Women’s March as well as the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety have recognized the march. Additionally, they have gained attention from George and Amal Clooney ($500,000 donation), Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg, who will match the others’ donations.
The impact of the Never Again movement can be seen in new legislation in Florida, with the passing of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. The act raises the minimum age for buying firearms to 21, establishes background checks and waiting periods, creates a program for increased school police and the arming of some teachers and bans bump stocks and creates safeguards to prevent the purchase of firearms by those that are considered potentially violent or mentally ill people from being able to own a gun. The students have made history, as the legislation is the first time in 30 years that the state of Florida has passed any legislation regarding guns. The only way that the movement can continue to enact change is if the Parkland tragedy is not forgotten. #NeverAgain is making sure that victims are remembered.
The creators of the movement have faced unfortunate backlash for their activism, with arguments and criticisms mainly centered around the idea that the students are not experienced or mature enough to handle creating a national movement. The activists simply just don’t know what they are talking about. But that is exactly what they have done. In the course of only one month, the movement has brought progress in legislation, planned a national march inspired school walkouts across the country, which is more than what can be said for what adults have done in the past.
The MSDHS students are normal teenagers. Teenagers who went back to school two weeks after a tragedy, some even tweeting about normal high school things like being rejected from colleges and reading “The Great Gatsby,” something to which we can all relate.
The students of Parkland leading the Never Again movement are an inspiration. Young people are told their entire lives that they have a voice that can make a difference, and the MSDHS students are proving that this is true. Young people have the ability to create real change.
There have been many opinions as to why this group is so different from survivors of previous mass shootings. Many have theorized that it is because the Parkland survivors are part of the “digital generation.” Whatever the case may be, there is no doubt that the members of the Never Again movement and so many American students are sick of the lack of protection for students on American campuses, Enough is Enough.
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