NEW YORK, H. Nazan Işık – Thousands of people gathered in Manhattan for “March For Our Lives” rally, on Saturday, 24 March 2018.
New York was one of the cities joined nationwide protests against gun violence. The protests were the result of a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida last month in which 17 people were killed
This rally was very different than other rallies, NY rally didn’t have any speakers, who are famous. The main speakers were mostly students who were survivors of the shootings or lost their friends or relatives to gun violence.
Sam Hendler, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas student, read the names of the victims of the massacre and led a moment of silence.
Very young speakers, wearing t-shirts with “Guns Down Life Up” sign were demanding gun control.
Young people, who lost their loved ones in 11 September 2001, carrying a “Resisting Gun Control is Terrorism” sign also spoke.
Marchers with different reactions showed their feelings.
A group of blue-clad drummers led the marchers.
A group of marchers were carrying the pictures of victims.
Actor Liev Schrieber joined the marchers with a “NO GUN” sign, which had no written words, but was strong enough to send a message.
Governor Andrew Coumo and Mayor Bill de Blasio marched too. One was all the way on the right side, and the other one was all the way on the left side!
Spectators with signs in hands were chanting “Protect lives not guns” too.
In Manhattan, the beginning point, where the stage was, was Central Park West and 61st Street. But overflow crowd was sent to uptown to 86th Street to join the march said organizers.
(Photos: © h. nazan ışık / NKENdiKEN)
