“Hope Notes” for those affected by the shooting in Parkland, FL

In March 2018, conspiracy theorists made another attempt to use disinformation in order to discredit gun safety activist Emma González by accusing her of “bullying” her former high school classmate accused of killing fourteen students and three staff members at a month earlier.

While the march in Washington is over, the drive toward activism has not faded among Stoneman Douglas students.

“It’s completely disgusting”, Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine told the Sun-Sentinel about the theft.

The students say they are raising these concerns not to detract from the work of their peers, but to ensure that their concerns are acknowledged by the media and policymakers.

“While there were many (reasons) students chose to unite across the nation, the main theme I overheard from OHS students was (that they wanted) to show their respect by honoring the victims at Stoneman Douglas High School”, said Wolf.

States are also taking action: At least six states are considering legislation that could loosen gun restrictions on K-12 campuses, including bills that would let certain school staffers carry firearms. We are a very constitutional community, and many of my constituents raised their right hand and took the same oath that I did – to protect and defend the Constitution.

Kashuv said we have to quit deflecting our anger and look at the “authoritative figures” who failed: “The FBI, and Sheriff Scott Israel, and the sheriff’s office, and the cowards of Broward, who did not do their job”.

The 17-year-old hid with dozens of students and teachers in a closet for 90 minutes during the Parkland attack. “It felt like there was a thousand police there”.

Robinson referred to this thinking as “deeply dangerous” and ultimately put the onus on schools to get the appropriate mental health assistance for students identified as having violent tendencies, and the current government to push for gun control.

Another student Tyah-Amoy Roberts spoke to reporters about how police violence disproportionately affects men and women of color. “This will allow for an open dialogue between lawmakers and the people who they represent in their home districts”.

The students also said that the post-Parkland gun control debate has failed to fully acknowledge how gun violence affects black youth.

“I don’t want the minority kids to be angry and feel that they’re being ignored”, she said. “I think that young people should be encouraged to engage even if we disagree with the conclusions that they draw”.

Roberts brought the Black Lives Matter movement into focus, noting that it’s been around for years, but has never been given the same spotlight as the new movements.

Some students say that new policies aimed at keeping them safe have left them more apprehensive than before. They were also said to be at the site at an “unreasonable hour”. “We have to have that conversation”.