The peaceful protest was one of many "March For Our Lives" demonstrations held throughout the United States by citizens in pursuit of stricter gun laws in the wake of the February 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people lost their lives, in Parkland, Florida.
Riverside's rally was organized by high school students from Corona, Moreno Valley and Riverside and supported by the Riverside County Brady Campaign To End Gun Violence.
Student speakers address the crowed before the march. "Today we demand change. Today we demand action," proclaimed Ian McPherson, a 16-year-old junior from Valley View High School. One after another each student had a similar plea.
"Thoughts and prayers have done nothing for students like myself," a sentiment spoken by one student speaker and echoed throughout the march.
Addressing the government, one student said, "You may be afraid to save our lives, but we're not afraid to vote you out!" On the courthouse grounds, voter registration tables were set up for the convenience of anyone needing to register.
Another student revealed, "I must hug my family everyday because we don't know when tragedy will strike."
To the 2nd Amendment protectors, another student said, "No one is trying to take any one's guns away. We are trying to protect our students from death."
After the march, the rally concluded back on the steps of the courthouse where the names of the 17 Marjory Stoneman Douglas victims were read and student organizers released butterflies in their honor.
Susan "Wearing A Journalist Hat" B.
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