March 26, 2018
On Saturday, March 24, 2018, there were March For Our Lives marches across the globe, including Washington D.C and New York City (where Safe Horizon marched). There were many powerful, unforgettable, and raw moments. One moment included a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School survivor leading the March for Our Lives crowd in Washington D.C. in a round of gut-wrenching “Happy Birthday” wishes in honor of her slain classmate, Nicholas Dworet. He would have turned 18 years old the day of the march. Other speakers highlighted gun violence in under-resourced communities, and many shared their own painful stories of losing friends, siblings, and other loved ones to gun violence.
At the New York City March, we marched and raised our voices, asking for meaningful solutions to the epidemic of gun violence so no one has to experience this horror. And we marched for those individuals and families who have come through Safe Horizon’s doors after being affected by gun violence, whether they lost a loved one or they themselves were a victim.
Below are nine of the most memorable photos and moments from the March For Our Lives marches, and a reminder of why our federal lawmakers should enact meaningful and common sense solutions now.
1. “Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and 20 seconds. The shooter has ceased shooting, and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape, and walk free for an hour before being arrested. Fight for your lives, before it’s someone else’s job” said Emma Gonzalez at the March for Our Lives. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
2. Safe Horizon’s Jimmy Meagher joins March for Our Lives in New York City. (Riley Huston/Safe Horizon)
3. Safe Horizon’s VP of Government of Government Affairs, Michael Polenberg, and his son ask for universal background checks for anyone purchasing a gun. Polenberg has been a fierce leader of our advocacy efforts, lobbying for closing legal loopholes that allow domestic violence abusers access to guns and to require background checks on firearm purchases at gun shows. (Riley Huston/Safe Horizon)
4. “I represent the African-American women who are victims of gun violence, who are simply statistics instead of vibrant, beautiful girls full of potential,” Naomi Wadler said at the March for Our Lives. (Andrew Harnik/AP)
5. Safe Horizon staff, board members, and clients getting ready to march in March for Our Lives New York City. (Riley Huston/Safe Horizon)
6. “We left not only knowing that we would support one another, but also realizing that without the proper grassroots resources, this issue of violence will not be solved, and we will not stop until we are properly resourced in our communities,” Alex King said at the March for Our Lives. Pictured with D’Angelo McDade. (ABC News)
7. Safe Horizon’s Ashley Lugo shows her support amongst the crowd in New York City. (Riley Huston/Safe Horizon)
8. “I am here for my South LA Community. This is normal — normal to the point that I’ve learned to duck from bullets before I learned how to read,” said Edna Chavez, whose brother was lost to gun violence. (Nicholas Kamm/Getty Images)
9. “We are mothers against gun violence! Today we march for our children,” said Johane Alexandre and Shandra Woworuntu, former Safe Horizon clients and Speakers Bureau members. (Shandra Woworuntu)