On March 24, countless individuals took to the streets of cities all across the country, including Erie, to demand that their lives and safety become a priority and that gun violence and mass shootings must end in their schools.

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Students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland, Florida, the location of the most recent mass school shooting in the United States, created the “March for Our Lives” after experiencing gun violence first hand. There were over 800 marches worldwide on Saturday, and it was estimated to be as large as the 1963 March on Washington.

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As the weeks passed following the Stoneman Douglas shooting, politicians have been criticized for their responses of the stereotypical “thoughts and prayers.” Many students, on the other hand, believe this is the time to talk about gun regulations. “We've had enough of thoughts and prayers… to every lawmaker out there: No longer can you take money from the NRA. No longer can you fly under the radar doing whatever it is that you want to do… we are coming after every single one of you and demanding that you take action,” said Stoneman Douglas shooting survivor Delaney Tarr.

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According to Cameron Kasky, another Stoneman Douglas survivor, the March for Our Lives, the #NeverAgain movement and the National School Walkout were created to demand a comprehensive and effective bill be brought before Congress to address these three core issues:

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First, passing a law to ban the sale of assault weapons like the ones used in Las Vegas, Orlando, Sutherland Springs, Aurora, Sandy Hook and, most recently, to kill 17 innocent people and injure more than a dozen at Stoneman Douglas High School.

Second, prohibiting the sale of high-capacity magazines such as the ones the shooter at his school, and many other mass shooters, have used.

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Third, closing the loophole in our background check law that allows dangerous people who shouldn’t be allowed to purchase firearms to slip through the cracks and buy guns online or at gun shows.

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As many students marched in Washington D.C., so did the people of Erie. It is estimated over 300 people showed up on Saturday morning in Perry Square to speak their minds in unity. When looking into the sea of people, a vast range of age groups were present, from young students to senior citizens, all raising their signs and fists in solidarity. There was a line of students and teachers near the stage waiting to read poems, sing songs and demand for their voices to be heard.

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The event was organized by Alayna Gallagher Getchell, the Keystone Progress Erie President, as well as students from nearby schools. Getchell told the Gannon Knight Newspaper, “The students don’t want to die, and no one is listening. When you aren’t heard, you have no choice but to start a movement. Money and votes aren’t in their corner, so they have to go about it the grassroots way,” referring to the poetry and speeches that were recited. “This March is so important because it’s the beginning of a movement.  Students have not been heard and feared for their lives for almost 20 years since Columbine and nothing has been done. It’s time. We need policy change and these students vote next,” Getchell continued.

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Those who feel indifferent on the National School Walkout movement have coined the term “walk up, not out,” prompting students to walk up to those students who have a reputation for being outsiders rather than walk out of school. These are predominantly led by parents who believe more “kindness” among students, rather than gun control legislation, will end gun violence. “The Walk-Up, not Walk Out is pure garbage. It’s the epitome of victim blaming. To even infer that school shootings wouldn’t happen if students were ‘nicer to the loner’ makes me absolutely sick. It’s a sh*t narrative and the psychology behind all of this is beyond most of us,” said Getchell.

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Many people have responded negatively to the March for Our Lives, the #NeverAgain movement and the National School Walkout that took place on March 14. Some believe political officials and news stations have been spreading the idea that the teens speaking up about gun control are not familiar enough with the issue or old enough for their opinions to matter.

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Republican candidate for the Maine State House Leslie Gibson turned to twitter to comment on Parkland student Emma Gonzalez, calling her a, “skinhead lesbian,” calling another student, David Hogg, a “moron” and “bald faced liar,” as these two survivors in particular have been actively voicing their opinions.

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Fox News’ Tucker Carlson, asked why kids who are “too young to be buying guns” should be allowed to “make [his] gun laws,” when guest starring on the Daily Show. Daily Show host Trevor Noah noted that, “as citizens” students have a right to an opinion on the issue. Carlson shot back stating “They’re not citizens, they’re children!” Trevor Noah ended this debate by saying, “If kids are old enough to be shot, they’re old enough to have an opinion about being shot.”

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In the time following the Stoneman Douglas shooting, students have not been silenced and have risen up, continuing to speak on what they believe. They hope their words send a message to the government; it is time to eliminate the “thoughts and prayers” and establish a new set of gun regulations.