The 17 school shootings that have left many Americans hurt or killed in 2018 spurred students across the nation to act on their desire for more gun control and reform. Many MCPS students participated in a national school walkout that occurred on March 14, 2018, and some who remained at school did 17 seconds or minutes of silence. The thousands of MCPS students that participated in the walkout went as far as marching all the way to Washington D.C. in order to have their voices heard.
“Gun control is a huge issue in our current climate, and I don’t want to become another statistic in gun-related violence,” said a freshman at Quince Orchard High School.“I want there to be no more gun violence, period. That is why I marched to Washington D.C today, because it’s our first amendment right to protest the second amendment.”
The 17 seconds or minutes of silence that occurred at schools across the county were meant to respect to the 17 victims of the tragic Parkland High School shooting. At Quince Orchard High School, the freezing temperatures outside resulted in having only 17 seconds of silence. Nevertheless, amazing speeches were delivered at this high school, and many students who walked out truly felt in the cause they were marching out for.
Another march that protested gun violence and demanded gun reform was held on on Saturday, March 24, and it was called “The March of Our Lives”. Thousands of children and adults went to D.C. Many celebrities even showed up as well, showing how this issue affects children who don’t want to be afraid to go to school and adults who want children to be safe. These celebrities included high-profile figures such as Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and many more.
Regardless of one’s political views, we can agree that no one should ever have to go to school in fear. However, beyond gun violence, we can do something too – if we all took the time to reach out to people around us, gun-related shootings could perhaps stop being perceived as normalized aspects of daily life.
Article by MoCo Student staff writer Matthew Minton of Quince Orchard High School