March for Our Lives protests updates LIVE — Survivors’ heartbreaking pleas as they beg for change across the US
THOUSANDS of people have shown out around the country today to demand tighter gun control measures in the aftermath of numerous horrific shootings this year.
Speakers at the events across the nation include shooting victims and their parents, such as Manuel Oliver, whose 17-year-old son was killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018.
During his speech, Oliver said: "Our elected officials betrayed us and have avoided the responsibility to end gun violence."
Also at the protest, security personnel were seen taking away a man who disturbed a moment of silence during the rally in Washington DC.
According to , before tossing what looks to be a water bottle, the agitator was heard saying “I am the gun,” among other things.
After the man was escorted out, the demonstration proceeded.
Hundreds of marches and rallies are taking place around the country, including in New York City, Milwaukee, Orlando, and Los Angeles.
The plea for action comes after a number of recent shootings have taken place across the US states such as Texas, New York, Maryland, and Oklahoma.
Read our March for Our Lives blog for the latest news and updates...
Activist David Hogg speaks
Parkland shooting survivor and activist, David Hogg, attended the March For Our lives rally in DC.
'Do not run'
After the interruption at the DC rally, one speaker, Erica Ford, with the New York City Crisis Management System yelled into the crowd, "do not run," reports.
Speakers on the stage later assured the crowd that the man was not armed and they were not in danger.
Frightening moments
Some of those in the crowd ducked and laid down on the ground when a man disturbed a moment of silence during the DC rally.
According to , before tossing what looks to be a water bottle, the agitator was heard saying "I am the gun," among other things.
After the man was escorted out, the demonstration proceeded.
People took cover when a man tried to rush the stageCredit: AP
United Federation of Teachers marches
The UFT marched in the New York rally.
UFT Vice President for Academic High Schools, Janella Hinds, gave a speech discussing the trauma students and educators face every day from gun violence.
Heartbreaking sign from student
A student held a sign highlighting the frequency of school shootings.
The sign reads; "In first grade, I mourned for Sandy Hook. In sixth grade, I mourned for Parkland. In eleventh grade here I am again."
"When will it end?"
Special march in Buffalo
The March for our Lives in Buffalo held a moment of silence in front of the Tops Supermarket where a gunman opened fire last month.
Large crowds in DC
Thousands of people gathered at the National Mall for the March For Our Lives rally.
Credit: Getty Images - Getty Flowers represented gun violence victims
A large field of orange and white flowers sat near the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
A sign nearby said; "Around 5,000 more people died in 2020 than 2019."
“The orange flowers symbolize the increase in lost lives.”
Teachers speak out against gun violence
Carly Augenbaugh, 24, works as a substitute teacher.
She told the threat of gun violence follows her into every classroom.
“If I ever die in my school, I need you to make sure this never happens again,” she told her mom after the Uvalde
Impactful messages from the crowd
One marcher held a sign showing the actual size of a bullet wound from high-velocity bullets, similar to those used in many mass shootings.
The sign reads, "that's why they had to DNA test," referencing the fact that some of the Uvalde shooting victims could only be identified by DNA.
Worries about graduation safety
The recent spike in mass shootings had several families fearful about graduation celebrations.
One person died while another was critically injured following a shooting that took place after Riverdale High school's graduation.
In a separate incident, four people were hurt in a shooting outside a high school graduation ceremony in Arkansas.
Moms Demand Action join the march
Moms Demand Action is a group that advocates for public safety measures to protect people from gun violence. Local chapters showed up at several different march locations, including Arkansas.
Tens of thousands show up in support
A tweet shows a large crowd surrounding the Washington Monument for March For Our Lives despite stormy weather.
Top five deadliest school shootings: Sandy Hook Elementary
On December 14, 2012, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place.
The school is located in Newtown, Connecticut, and remains the deadliest K-12 school shooting in the United States, reports.
A total of 26 people were killed at the time including 20 students and six teachers.
Adam Lanza was the perpetrator who killed his mother and 25 other people in the shooting.
Top five deadliest school shootings: Robb Elementary
On May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary 18 people were killed in the deadly school shooting.
This shooting is the deadliest K-12 school shooting in the state of Texas and second in the nation.
The shooter has been identified as 18-year-old Salvador Ramos by Governor Greg Abbott.
A total of 18 kids and three adults were killed in the Robb Elementary shooting.
Top five deadliest school shootings: Marjory Stoneman Douglas
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting took place on February 14, 2018.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is located in Parkland, Florida.
Nikolas Cruz, a former student of the school was responsible for killing 17 people and injuring 17 others with a long rifle, the outlet reports.
He was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.
Top five deadliest school shootings: Sante Fe
The shooting at Sante Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas resulted in the death of 10 people.
This shooting took place on May 18, 2018.
The perpetrator was reportedly armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and pipe bombs.
Top five deadliest school shootings: West Nickel Mines
On October 2, 2006, the West Nickel Mines School shooting took place.
West Nickel Mines School is located in the city of Bart Township, Pennsylvania.
In the fifth deadliest US school shooting a total of five Amish girls were killed and five others injured.
Charles Carl Roberts IV was the shooter responsible for the deaths, he also took his own life.
What was the Enough! National School Walkout?
On the one-month anniversary of the Stoneman Douglas tragedy, the Enough! National School Walkout was conducted.
It featured approximately one million kids from more than 3,000 schools throughout the US marching out of class for precisely 17 minutes (one for each of the victims of the tragedy), per .
After spending 17 minutes of silence with their backs to the White House, thousands of students assembled in Washington DC, and staged a demonstration.
'Love people not guns'
In the March For Our Lives rally taking place in Buffalo, New York, protesters are seen in front of Tops Friendly Supermarket holding signs that read "ban assault weapons" and "love people not guns."
On May 14, 2022, shots were fired at Tops, killing at least 13 people.
Protestors in Buffalo, New York display signs that read "love people not guns," among other thingsCredit: AP:Associated Press Protestor interrupts moment of silence
At the March For Our Lives in DC, security personnel were seen taking away a man who disturbed a moment of silence during the rally, one of a series of nationwide protests against gun violence.
According to , before tossing what looks to be a water bottle, the agitator was heard saying "I am the gun," among other things.
After the man was escorted out, the demonstration proceeded.
The man who interrupted the moment of silence was heard screaming "I am the gun"Credit: Reuters
Brooklyn subway shooting
On April 12, a shooting broke out in Brooklyn during the early morning commute.
At the time, the chief spokesperson for the FDNY said at least 16 people were confirmed to be injured and taken to local hospitals.
As of April 13, the number of injured had risen to at least 29.
Most victims were treated for shrapnel, gunshot wounds, and smoke inhalation; but police say they have non-life-threatening injuries.
Suspect Frank James was arrested the next day, after an exhaustive manhunt, and he has since been charged with the attack.
MLK's granddaughter speaks
Yolanda King, Martin Luther King Jr.'s 14-year-old granddaughter, returned to the March For Our Lives platform four years after she addressed demonstrators at the age of 10.
She said: "Like so many of you, I come from a thoughtful, prayerful family. My grandfather was taken from the world by gun violence."
"We've had enough of having more guns than people," she said.
MLK's granddaughter said during her speech: "My grandfather was taken from the world by gun violence"Credit: Getty Images Deadliest school shooting in Texas history
On May 24, 2022, a school shooting occurred at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, at around 11.30am local time.
It ultimately took the lives of at least 18 students and three adults, including fourth-grade teacher Eva Mireles.
The Robb Elementary shooting is reportedly the deadliest school shooting in Texas history and happened four years after a gunman fatally shot 10 people at Santa Fe High School in the Houston area, according to .
The shooting also came just days after ten people were killed during a mass shooting at a Tops Friendly Markets store in Buffalo, NY.
Leititia James joins protest
In a tweet after joining a protest in Brooklyn, New York Attorney General Leititia James wrote: "We will fight every single day until we get the common-sense gun reforms this nation needs to end gun violence and save lives."
