March For Our Lives - March 24th

By Destiny Reicher

Children, teens, adults, elders, 'people' gathered on March 24th at 10 A.M. in Wichita to show their support for student activists in charge of 'March for Our Lives' and gun control.

More than a thousand people marched, chanted and sang in favor of gun control legislation and increased voter registration.

No matter their background, age, religion, or even sexuality, one thing they all agreed on was "Enough is Enough" when it comes to school shootings.            

                                                                                              

Students helped organize this event including metro area high schoolers Edgar Dominguez, Jaden Goter, Blair Brandom, Josie Goter, Nathan Dominguez, and Brittany Ayres.

"Columbine was the start, and now Parkland's going to be the change," Matthew Melchor, a senior at Maize High School, told the gathered crowd.

"Vote them out," "Not one More" and "Hey Ho, Hey Ho, The NRA Has Got To Go" were just a few of the chants the crowd shouted as it marched down Main Street from Park Elementary School to the Historic Sedgwick County Courthouse.  

A few lawmakers made it out to show their support for the cause and put their say in on a plan to arm teachers in Kansas schools, including Gov. Jeff Colyer, (R) Kansas, and Rep. Jim Ward, (D) Wichita. Both are currently running for governor of Kansas.

"The only thing we should arm teachers with is better pay, more classroom supplies and support staff like nurses, psychologists, counselors, and aides," said Ward.

A junior from Derby High School, Camille Pierce feels very strongly about not arming teachers and had a few choice words for the topic.

"Giving guns to teachers is like blowing out a candle with a second flame. It will not work," said Pierce.

The students and adults that attended this event say that the March For Our Lives won't matter if people don't participate in the upcoming elections.

"People who feel passionate about this topic and people who will be 18 by the election will be able to vote with people who share the same ideals and the same morals as us," said Brittany Ayres, A Wichita Northwest Senior.

Pictures From The Event

Photos By Destiny Reicher