On March 24, 2017, demonstrators from around the country gathered to call for a reform on the nation's gun laws. Among the cities that were the site of demonstrations and protests, was Houston. While the protest was small compared to Washington, D.C., hundreds gathered to raise their voice and call for stricter gun control laws.
As I made my way through the crowds and asked people what brought them to the rally, two signs caught my attention. One was a person dressed as Santa holding a sign that had a naughty list which included Congress and the National Rifle Association and a nice list which featured students. Another sign that caught my attention was one that said arms are for hugging.
Students as young as 14 showed up at the rally to raise their voice. Teachers, students, educators, and parents gathered to hear a number of keynote speakers.
There were many student groups at the demonstration from all over the Houston area. I had a chance to speak with educators, parents, and students to find out what brought them to the march. The main reason was to make their voice heard. They all said enough is enough and that something needs to happen.
Speaking with a group of students from Lamar High School, one student said they were demonstrating in order to show support for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Students. Another student said they wanted to get the word out about calls for gun reform. Another said they were demonstrating in order to make schools safer for students. Still another student said that it is time to reform gun laws.
Among the featured speakers was Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. He said that the youth are the leaders of today and this is a defining moment. "When students lead a demonstration, things can change. We need to make America safe again." He went on to say that the city works for its citizens. "The city is the employee and the citizens are the employer." One of the highlights of the speech was when Mayor Turner announced his commission to end gun violence. "We need to fulfill our potential and protect our children." He concluded with the chant "NOW IS THE TIME!"
One keynote speaker at the rally stated that multiple bills addressing gun reform were never even brought to the floor for a debate. This did not sit well with the crowd as they gave a resounding disdain after hearing what was just stated. "Success is not final. Failure is not fatal," The speaker told the crowd.
Another speaker told the crowd that we are tired of our elected leaders in Washington not listening to our voices. "We will march forward. We will make change," the speaker concluded.
Speaking with a group of students from Rice University, I found out one of them graduated from Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 2017. One student told me that action needs to be taken. Another one said that the issue of gun reform needs to be addressed. The students as a whole demanded action be taken in Washington and in Houston. Another student said they were at the rally because they were inspired by the students of Stoneman Douglas High School and wanted to become involved. Still another said that gun safety needs to become a priority.
One parent that I talked with stated that she was there to stand with the students because action has not been taken. Another person, who is a teacher, said they want to be able to do their job and not worry about an active shooter situation.
A group of students from Cypress Woods High School told me they wanted to see change and that as a nation, we have become desensitized to mass shootings.
Another group of students, who wished not to identify their school, told me they wanted change. "We want to feel safe in school," one student told me. Another one said that their school does not do practice drills for mass shooter situations. "We want to feel safe everywhere," a student told me. They all agreed enough is enough and it's time for change.
I also got to speak with a group of students who attend a school where gun violence is the norm. Group leader RJ told me that there is a high rate of gun violence on the campus. "We are all against violence," she told me. RJ and her friends said they live for the purpose of preventing gun violence in schools.
A group of students from the University of Houston told me the campus has loose gun laws and that a tragedy like that of Marjory Stoneman Douglas could be prevented with tighter regulations.
"It can happen to anyone. We need to change the gun laws," Hannah Boyd, who is a student told me. She did not wish to give out where she attends school.
"It's become the norm," Kate said, wishing not to give out her school name. "People don't realize the United States is the norm when it comes to mass shootings."
Olivia, who wished to not give out her school, told me that gun violence affects everyone and that she wanted her voice to be heard.
"Kids have a voice, whether they realize it or not," Grace, who attends Spring Forest Middle School, told me. "We can make a difference."
Chants of "Vote Them Out" "Books Not Bullets" "Hey hey Ho ho The NRA has got to go" and "Hey Hey NRA, how many kids did you kill today?" filled the air on the way to U.S. Senator Ted Cruz's downtown office. When he failed to show up, the crowd began to chant: "Where's Ted Cruz?" After waiting a while longer, the protestors headed back to the park to regroup.
Ted Cruz, who represents Southern Texas, has been seen by many as not getting much done since he took office in 2012.
Many GOP representatives and senators have announced they will not seek re-election this year. This follows on the heels of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in which 17 students were killed. Lawmakers have come under increasing pressure from young and first-time voters to pass legislation on gun reform.
