Parkland Students React to Central Michigan University Shooting: 'How Long Will It Take?'
After shots fired at Central Michigan University Friday morning left two dead, survivors from last month’s mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, took to social media. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High students quickly slammed Capitol Hill’s stalled efforts to solve the nation’s gun violence crisis.
— Lex (@lexforchange) March 2, 2018
Emma González has become one of the loudest advocates of gun control in the youth movement. The 18-year-old survived the Parkland school shooting that killed 17 classmates and staff members on February 14.
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Just three days after her own school was on lockdown, González said, "We are up here standing together because if all our government and president can do is send thoughts and prayers, then it’s time for victims to be the change that we need to see."
Quickly building a following of over 1.16 million, González has used her experience to confront lawmakers, President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association under the #NeverAgain movement. Other students have tweeted their shock and disappointment.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told CNN on Friday that he had never seen anything like this. "Don’t underestimate the power of these kids," he said.
A day before, Schumer announced a gun control plan that calls for a ban on assault weapons. Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida—whom Parkland survivors took on during a recent town hall meeting—proposed a series of modest gun control measures that he either endorses or plans to bring to the debate floor.
As Parkland students continue to mobilize through the #NeverAgain movement, a nationwide protest is scheduled for March 24 to call for school safety and gun control. Meanwhile, gun legislation is being considered in state legislatures.
The PREVENTABLE events unfolding at #CMU are tragic but leave us needing nothing short of drastic change. If only we could march sooner. #MarchForOurLives
— _HƆƧTIƎᗡ ИAYЯ_ (@Ryan_Deitsch) March 2, 2018
Several Parkland-related bills are being debated in the Florida House and Senate appropriations committees. One controversial bill is a program that would have law enforcement train teachers to carry guns.
Earlier this week, Florida Governor Rick Scott put out a $500 million plan to increase school safety in his state, including a mandatory law enforcement officer for every public school.