By Currents News Staff
At 10:17 this morning, students across Florida stood silent. The tribute honoring the 17 people who died one year ago at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School.
One year ago today there was chaos and confusion during the Valentine’s Day shooting rampage. But now, a peaceful memorial garden stands outside the school. A sign with the school’s unofficial slogan, saying MSD strong, hangs above.
Robert Runcie, superintendent of Broward County Schools, said “Today is a day that we are calling a day of service and love to honor the victims.”
In almost an instant, student survivors became activists and made it their mission to campaign for gun reform.
Student Jaclyn Corin saying “this is our generation’s Vietnam war, except the war is in our country”
Emma Gonzalez warned, “fight for your lives before it’s someone else’s job.”
Since the shooting, 26 states and Washington D.C have passed varying gun control measures.
Student Alex Wind asserted “we were the only people that could have made this movement possible.”
Cameron Kasky, expressing hope, said “we’re really seeing a lot of reasons to look to the future.”
But after a year of activism, today is a day for silence.