[DeanFL]

SOMETHING must be done. Some measures must be taken by our leaders. Pressure must be put on them to address key issues. Complacency and doing nothing will ensure continuance of these horrible events.

I am heartened that some of our youth has spoken and perhaps will create a groundswell of pressure. It seems to me that this age 15-30 population has the will and energy to organize and put extreme pressure on the folks in charge to actually make changes. They will be/are a large voting group as well - which is key. I personally am not one that condones walkouts, marches etc - BUT... whatever it takes. This issue will never be completely erased from our open free society, but doing NOTHING ensures it can and will continue.

Hope they don't just focus solely on guns - but ALL the elements that impact this scourge of violence. Here's a few paragraphs from an interesting article>



"We are the students, we are the victims, we are change, fight gun violence now!" student organizers wrote for one of the planned events. "High School students across the U.S.A, the way to fight back is here. There has been too much complacency on the part of politicians when it comes to gun violence. The time to act is now!"

We will be the last mass shooting': Florida students want to be tipping point in gun debate


The first event is planned for March, 14, which would mark one month since the South Florida shooting. It's being planned in part by the Women's March organizers to protest inaction from lawmakers on gun-control legislation.

"We are not safe at school. We are not safe in our cities and towns," the Facebook event reads. "Congress must take meaningful action to keep us safe and pass federal gun reform legislation that address the public health crisis of gun violence."

The event calls for students and teachers to walk out of their schools at 10 a.m. local time for 17 minutes, to honor the 17 lives lost in Florida.

Another walkout is planned on April 20, which will mark the 19th year since the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado that left 13 dead.