TAMPA, Fla. — Whether you agree or disagree with their gun control argument, the March For Our Lives movement is set to demonstrate in cities across the country today.
More than 800 marches are planned nationwide, including the main march in Washington, D.C., where half a million people are expected in response to the deadly February shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Some Tampa Bay area students also made the trip to D.C., while hundreds more plan to participate in marches in Tampa Bay. Below is a list of marches happening here.
TAMPA: 10am at Kiley Gardens
ST. PETERSBURG: 11am at Poynter Park
MADIERA BEACH: 12pm at Archibald Park
BRADENTON: Noon at the Riverwalk amphitheater
LAKEWOOD RANCH: 10:30am at Arbor Green Trail
LAKELAND: 2pm at Munn Park
LAKE WALES: 6pm at Lake Wales High School
PLANT CITY: 10am at Plant City High School
PALM HARBOR: 4pm at The Learning Experience
SARASOTA: 10am at Unconditional Surrender statue
OLDSMAR: 11am at The Learning Experience at Oldsmar
BRANDON: 3pm at the Learning Experience
"We want politicians to see us and know that we're not as ignorant as a lot of people choose to think we are,” said one student, who joined a large group at Tampa Prep on Friday evening to prepare speeches and make poster they hope will make a point that lasts.Students say they want people to know what they're trying to do is bigger than just one day.
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“What we can do is reach out to our politicians, and especially for students, register to vote and once you register to vote, know who you're voting for,” said Madison Ramberac, a senior at Tampa Catholic.
The students preparing Friday evening are in different grades, from different schools, and even from different political backgrounds.
Hillsborough High freshman Patrick Gawienczuk said he knows not everyone supports what they’re doing.
“People who have those criticisms usually just say, 'Oh it's just a partisan issue, it's the Democrats trying to take all our guns away,' but I would like to point out that many of the people here — including me — have personally conservative views and we are doing this kind of stuff to help end gun violence in America,” he said.
Earlier Friday at Tampa International Airport, more than a dozen students boarded a plane bound for D.C.
“I want to tell them that I do have a voice and can make an impact even though I'm only 14 and I'm not voting right now, in four years I will be voting,” said Rachel Buksbuam, who lost a friend in the Parkland shooting.
It’s empowerment now she and others want to turn into political power later.
“I really hope more students will feel they have the ability to politically involved,” Gawienczuk said.
“We're students fighting for the rights of all Americans to not get shot, for Christ's sake."
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