What to Know
- Students from Douglas and other schools across the area have been vocal in their push for gun law reforms
- Events are scheduled for Saturday across the country – including a massive event set to take place in Parkland and another in Miami Beach.
Groups of students, teachers and parents began the trek from South Florida to Washington D.C. for this weekend’s March for Our Lives event – a demonstration sparked by the deadly mass shooting inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Some of those heading to the nation’s capital for Saturday’s rally, aimed at continuing the push for gun law reform in the wake of 17 people being killed inside the Parkland school on February 14th, left early Thursday morning from Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood International Airport with a solid purpose.
“You’re not just sitting at home being sad, you’re actually doing something,” said Emilie Smith, a senior at North Broward Prep.
“You’re supposed to go to school, you’re supposed to learn, I’m supposed to be able to teach," said middle school teacher Debby Miller, one of the organizers of this trip. "I’m not supposed to be scared.”
Around 200 demonstrators will be taking part in a three day agenda that includes Saturday's rally as well as a meeting with former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who was shot in 2011.
Students from Douglas and other schools across the area have been vocal in their push for laws they say would have prevented people like suspected school shooter Nikolas Cruz from purchasing high capacity assault rifles.
“It’s a lot more powerful if the movement comes from students,” said Smith. “We’re inspiring other students. We’re fighting for a good cause.”
“We’re not giving up, this is such an incredible and powerful movement," said Natalie Feehan, a sophomore at Monarch High School. “Our message is that we demand change and we’re not gonna stop until we get it.”
Events are scheduled for Saturday across the country – including a massive event set to take place in Parkland as well as a similar event in Miami Beach.
The rallies come days after the school was rattled by the story of three students being arrested – two for having knives on campus and a third for making an online threat – while a Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy being suspended after it was revealed he was asleep in his vehicle on campus.
When students return from spring break to Douglas, they'll be required by Broward County Schools to use clear backpacks and wear identification badges at all times.
Superintendent Robert Runcie told parents in a two-page letter about the security changes. It said the backpacks will be given to students at no cost when they return to school on April 2. He also noted that metal detectors may soon be installed at the school.
Parents district-wide were told reinforced safety protocols will include expediting "single point entry" measures for visitors, locking all classroom doors and upgrading surveillance systems.
