Million march

More than 1 million Americans reached the march for OUr Lives (“For our lives”), protesting against the availability of weapons, as a result of which thousands of young people die in schools and on university campuses. The action in the US capital was followed by the correspondent of The New Times

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Capitol in the Capitol

The main march in Washington was, where people gathered at the Central Pennsylvania Avenue, connecting the White House and the Capitol building, in which the US Congress sits. “According to our estimates, 700 thousand people came here. We expected so many people, ”a police officer who carried a guard among the crowd told a NT correspondent. He did not name his name, but said that he himself did not support the idea of ​​such a march.

The American media, referring to their own sources, reported more than 1 million participants. The crowd was so dense that it was almost impossible to squeeze through it. In order to pass 100 meters, the author of these lines took half an hour.

This protest - “ march for out -lves” - is already the second in the American capital over the past 10 days. For calm Washington, such frequent mass performances are very rare.

Both demonstrations took place in the wake of indignation caused by February shooting at the Parkland school in the city of Florida, who claimed the lives of 17 people.

The current action was much more numerous than March 14. “Then it was a weekday, many worked, and only schoolchildren went to the march. My daughter was there. And now we all have come, ”the father of Washington, the father of three children, who stood nearby, told the NT correspondent.

Why did they go out

Shooting at the Florida school became the drop that, judging by the protests, overwhelmed the cup of patience of people, but, alas, it was not the last. After her, shots sounded in several American schools. Just a few days ago, the tragedy occurred in Maryland, very close to Washington, where one person was killed in place, and another girl was disconnected from the apparatus of maintaining life on Friday.

“Michelle and I am so inspired by all young people, thanks to which today's marches took place. Do not give up! You lead us forward. Nothing can stop millions of votes that require changes, ”Barack Obama wrote

Only this year, engaged in such statistics , Evetown for Gun Safety Support Fund counted 18 cases of shooting in American schools that entailed victims. According to statistics , 28 were killed during this time and 44 people were injured.

The "duel" of the presidents

US President Donald Trump prudently left Washington. The American media literally savored this fact, repeatedly reporting that the head of state did not participate in the march. At the time of writing this material, Trump did not comment on the protest campaign in his Twitter.

But this was done by his predecessor Barack Obama. “Michelle and I am so inspired by all young people, thanks to which today's marches took place. Do not give up! You lead us forward. Nothing can stop millions of votes that require changes, ” the ex-president wrote.

Virtually Obama was present on the march itself. A small group of guests from the neighboring Baltimore with Washington attracted the attention of the ex-president gathered by the portrait. “I brought this portrait because Obama was an amazing head of state. Just legendary. And he managed to slow down violence with the use of weapons. But I agree that we must act in order to stop this violence, ”said NT activist Bill Maltinberger.

Stars for protest

Many celebrities have announced their support for manifestations. In particular, actor George Clooney, together with his wife Amal, film director Stephen Spielberg and TV presenter Oprah Winfrey transferred $ 500 thousand. Clooney even took part in the Washington march, for which the head of the City Council Fil Mendelason thanked him in his Twitter.

The schoolgirl Emma Gonzalez, who survived the nightmare in Parkland, going out to the microphone, was silent for 6 minutes 20 seconds. When the alarm clock rang after this time, she said: "During this time, the shooter did his job and killed 17 people"

Many famous artists performed on stage - in particular, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson.

Children on the march

But the main participants in the event were still children. The schoolgirl Emma Gonzalez, who survived the nightmare in Parkland, going out to the microphone, was silent for 6 minutes 20 seconds. When, after this time, the alarm clock rang, she said: "During this time, the shooter did his job and killed 17 people."

Her classmates read the names of all the dead, ending with the name of the guy who would be 18 years old on this day. "We are with you, Nicholas!" - they shouted into the crowd.

The main organizers of the action were children who survived the shooting in Florida. But not only peers came to support them, but to a greater extent adults. Many were with their children.

“If you carefully read this amendment, you will understand that it does not say that everyone needs to arm. It refers to the need to arm the rebel detachments that fought with the British troops "

“I am a teacher and mom. I want to feel safe in the classroom and I want my children to feel like that too, ”said NT Jennifer Kraft, who came from the outskirts of Washington with a 3-year-old daughter. The eldest child, according to her, was somewhere nearby with dad.

A resident of Washington Benjamin Longsrat told NT that he thinks, "first of all, about those families whose children died." “I am completely in solidarity with them. We must act and demand from legislators so that they also take some steps. It is impossible to put up with this situation, ”he said.

For the abolition of the second amendment

The mother-in-law of Benjamin, Beti Ranch, who came to the march from New York, read the NT correspondent to a mini-lecture on adopted in 1791 and allowing citizens to wear weapons of the second amendment to the US Constitution. “Look at the poster next to us, which requires Congress to change this amendment. That's why we are here. If you carefully read this amendment, you will understand that it does not say that everyone needs to arm. It refers to the need to arm the rebel detachments that fought with the British troops, ”said the grandmother of three grandchildren.

Many of the audience also demanded to change the amendment, around which there are so many disputes. “We have been changing presidents every 4 years. Why don't we change the second amendment of 227 years? " - read one of the posters.

The National Riffle Association ( NRA) also got into the National Riffle Association, which is one of the main defenders of the right to carry weapons. The most harmless posters demanded from her to “get out to hell”, put an equal sign between her and death or demonstrated their hands in the blood over her name. Some called on to commit certain actions of a sexual nature.

But, perhaps, the young woman, holding a banner in her hands with the inscription, went further than others: “Your pistol will not make your cock anymore. He will make you look even greater than a member. ” True, this was addressed not only to NRA, but also to all supporters of wearing weapons.

Military participants also visited the march and demonstrated that they understand the danger of weapons much better than ordinary people. US Air Force veteran Jesse Brooks, who fought in Vietnam, brought from Florida the poster “The older generation against violence using military weapons” ( Senior Citizens Assault Weapons Violence ). “I want this weapon to be banned, he has no place in our society,” he said NT. And he continued: “Believe me, I fought in Vietnam, served in the military police, and I know well what it is - when people are killed. And I know that military weapons can only be used to kill people, and not for hunting. We do not need it to have it. ”

Further others went a young woman, holding a banner in her hands with the inscription: “Your pistol will not make your cock anymore. He will make you look even greater than a member. ” True, this was addressed not only to NRA, but to all supporters of wearing weapons

Will the authorities hear

The current march in scale was such that his authorities simply could not ignore it. Many senators, by the way, themselves went out into the street to hold the gathered, in particular, influential members of the democratic faction, Dyann Faynstain and Richard Derbin.

Even more legislators performed ten days ago at the foot of the Capitol in front of the students. Then two other democrats - senators Ben Cardin and Tim Kane - promised to adopt laws that prevent violence.

President Trump also supports these undertakings. But at the same time, he also opposes the abolition of the second amendment, believing that people have the right to wear weapons. The influential weapons lobby in every way supports the now -ruling Republican Party.