Thousands of Students Protest Gun Violence

Driving through Sebastopol March 14 toward the Senior Center, this 73-year-old noticed young students with signs gathering on downtown street corners. These active participants in direct democracy joined thousands who walked out of schools across the U.S. and the world, organized by the Women’s March Youth branch.

As I got closer to the students, a variety of feelings, thoughts, and memories emerged. Tears of appreciation began to drip from my eyes, as I learned why they were protesting.

Then I smiled at them and flashed the peace sign, as I used to during the active 1960s. I eventually resigned my U.S. Army officer’s commission to join the marches that finally helped ended the American wars on the people of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Spending a short time in jail, before being released--since I was merely expressing my First Amendment freedom of speech--was worth it.

I’m proud of our middle and high school students, as well as others, for non-violently standing up to defend their generation against those who continue to shoot innocent youth and others in Florida and elsewhere. “Lives matter more than guns. Enough is enough!” were among the signs.

[ See more images from Sonoma County protests here on SonomaWest.com]

Many teachers and administrators supported students joining the brief marches. California Rep. Mike Thompson created a video, which schools are showing, where he encourages students to “stand up and speak out” against gun violence.

Each event had its own character. The Sebastopol rallies were relatively dignified and many protestors had taped their mouths. All corners of Santa Rosa High, in contrast, were full of students waving signs, chanting, and expressing a call to action and a show of force.

An estimated 500 students, about a quarter of Santa Rosa High’s student body, joined the walkout. In nearby Petaluma around 2000 students from a dozen schools walked out. Some wore bright orange #Never Again shirts, a prominent hash-tag, according to the daily Press Democrat.

Nearly all of the 1300 students at Sonoma Valley High School gathered with signs such as “I should be writing my term paper instead of my will” and “Never Again!” Some waved the American flag and shouted things such as “It’s time for the next generation to take over!”

My feelings eventually ranged from a mixture of sadness—because these students needed to protest—to appreciation for their bravery against those who threaten the Earth’s future.

“Too Young to Protest? 10-Year-Olds Beg to Differ” headlined a March 14 New York Times article. “It started last month as a writing exercise on the 1963 Birmingham Children’s Crusade, when more than 1000 students skipped school and marched to demand civil rights,” the article began. So the current marches have also been a history classroom.

“The classroom assignment mushroomed into a plan—hatched by 10-and-11-year-olds—to stage a little civil disobedience of their own,” the article notes.

“We Won’t Let the N.R.A. Win” headlines another Times article, written by three New Jersey high school students. “The killings of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida may be the massacre that finally gets federal and state governments to enact common-sense gun control laws,” the students commence their article.

They remind us, “That should have happened after Columbine. It should have happened after Virginia Tech. It should have happened after Sandy Hook. But it didn’t. The Stoneman Douglas School is where our generation draws a line.” So they imagined and then created what some organizers describe as the National School Walkout.

17 is the number of students and staff killed at the Florida school. Many of the events were scheduled for 17 minutes.

“March for Our Lives is not just one day,” the students conclude. “We must all stand with Stoneman Douglas students and say, ‘Never again.’ This isn’t about being aligned with one political party or another. This is about protecting this nation’s children.”

The American Civil Liberties Union helped train some students in their direct actions. The creation of a sense of community was among the marches’ goals.

Meanwhile, a series of violent threats have been scrawled on campuses, including at Santa Rosa High in Northern California.

“We are the future of this country, yet we can no longer assume we are safe from mass shootings in our schools. Nor can we assume our elders will protect us,” the students write.

When I arrived at the Sebastopol Area Senior Center, I spoke with other elders about the issues these youth raise. We agreed that we should support their leadership and join these brave “first responders.”

“Eloquent young voices, equipped with symbolism and social media savvy, riding a resolve as yet untouched by cynicism,” is how the New York Times described the rallies.

In Lower Manhattan, Gov. Andrew Cuomo joined a die-in at Zucotti Park, the former home of the Occupy Wall Street protests.

“Hey-hey, ho-ho, the N.R.A. has to go,” students chanted as they marched to the D. C. Capital steps. They were met by members of Congress, the most popular of whom seemed to be Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Stay tuned for at least two more nationwide protests on March 24 and April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine murders, as students continue to gather steam and define their movement.

I really laughed because a month ago these “smart, well educated young adults” were being mocked in the media for doing something so stupid like the tide pod challenge! I guess being used by the media has an “educational benefit” to it.

AND did you notice, Your dear Bernie??? When he was walking through the crowd of “peaceful kids protesting,” he was protected by CAPITAL POLICE WITH GUNS!

Oh the hipocrisy!

I'm a little slow mentally these days, but am not sure what your comments mean, so just want to ask for clarity. What do you mean the kids "are being used by the media"? Are you suggesting that the media has an agenda, and that the media is causing these protests? I believe the protests were instigated by these kids, because of what happened to them. Really, I'm just not clear what you meant.
Also, I don't think Bernie actually needed Capital police with guns to protect him from the crowd of kids. If you think the police were there in case some person with an automatic rifle decided to fire again on these kids, and Bernie, then I guess it just helps support the idea behind the protests, getting rid of military guns on our streets and schools, so no one has to fear such a death.
Also, I wish we could all (myself included) lose such sarcasm as your "Your dear Bernie???" remark demonstrates. I hope in the future we as a people/country learn how to have political discussions and disagreements without such disrespect for those who don't agree with us. How about some "non-violent communication" instead? We have to start working together to keep our democracy. Kindness in communication goes a long way in being "heard". Thanks for "hearing" my thoughts.

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Posted in reply to the post by Damage:

I really laughed because a month ago these “smart, well educated young adults” were being mocked in the media for doing something so stupid like the tide pod challenge! I guess being used by the media has an “educational benefit” to it.

AND did you notice, Your dear Bernie??? When he was walking through the crowd of “peaceful kids protesting,” he was protected by CAPITAL POLICE WITH GUNS!

Oh the hipocrisy!

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Yes, the kids are being used. Yes the Media does have an agenda, both Liberal AND Conservatives do! Sorry, if you didn’t know that.

As far as the protest, it was actually ment, from Florida, where this ACTUALLY HAPPENED, to be a “memorial for the 17 that died,” thus the walkout for 17 minutes.

However, kids in Chicago left school, walked across the street and ran-sacked a Walmart. In Atlanta, they Kneeled because of “racial indifferences.” Kids in Washing DC, had signs, DEMANDING VAGINA RIGHTS, and WANTING REPARATIONS!!!” As well as at least one sign saying the NRA , KKK, USA.

My point on that is, while this “protest”, (memorial doesn’t sound as good), my have started out with the best intention, it quickly went down hill, as it crossed the country. AND, a kid in Ohio was suspended for not “walking out,” well if that isn’t “adults (school officials) having a agenda for THEIR students,” I don’t know what is.

Which bring us to Vermont’s Socialism Leader, Comrade Bernie,,,

MY SARCASM KNOW NO BOUNDS! I ask you, WHAT EXACTLY, did I say in my first response, (not THIS one,) that was,
“DISRESPECTFUL & VIOLENT COMMUNICATION?????” If I had in fact done that, I’m sure Berry would of stepped in. I don’t believe I’ve done anything that violates the rules no matter HOW MUCH SOMEONES “FEELINGS” GET HURT! i.e., we are having a political discussion.

And finally, about that Socialist Guru, Bernie.
I still find it laughable, if like YOU SAID, “the police were there in case some person with an automatic rifle decided to fire again on these kids, and Bernie,” the Capital Police only were escorting Bernie, I didn’t see any kid with police directing their every move (watch the video, they were ESCORTING HIM), protecting THEM DIRECTLY! AND IF SOMEONE DID FIRE A GUN AT THE KIDS AND BERNIE, WOULD THE SCHOOL BE CULPULPABLE? I MEAN, THE SCHOOL IS SUPPOSE TO BE PROTECTING THE KIDS DURING “SCHOOL HOURS,” RIGHT???

Finally, Kids are killed in Chicago ALL THE TIME, and the Media is silent!

Have a nice day, end of story.

Wow, I hope this isn't the "end of the story", so that some conversation might happen to move the dialogue along, but honestly, I don't even know how to respond or unwrap all the things you've said here that are upsetting to you. We all seem to be upset, angry, sad, etc., at the things happening on the political scene these days, even when we are on opposite ends of thought about what is going on. Maybe the first conversation we all need to have is with ourselves, maybe one about how to have conversations that invite people in to discuss difficult issues, because we want and need to find a way to solve problems together! Sometimes I'm so stuck in an opinion or feeling, I can't hear anyone else. It isn't just the disagreements I'm having trouble with these days, it's these bad feelings we are all having about "the other side". How can we discuss and hear each other, maybe still disagree, but look for areas of compromise, and still go away respecting each other? I just wish for all of us a little more empathy, kindness, compassion, and acceptance of our differences.
Thanks for listening, and for sharing your thoughts.

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Posted in reply to the post by Damage:

Yes, the kids are being used. Yes the Media does have an agenda, both Liberal AND Conservatives do! Sorry, if you didn’t know that.

As far as the protest, it was actually ment, from Florida, where this ACTUALLY HAPPENED, to be a “memorial for the 17 that died,” thus the walkout for 17 minutes.

However, kids in Chicago left school, walked across the street and ran-sacked a Walmart. In Atlanta, they Kneeled because of “racial indifferences.” Kids in Washing DC, had signs, DEMANDING VAGINA RIGHTS, and WANTING REPARATIONS!!!” As well as at least one sign saying the NRA , KKK, USA.

My point on that is, while this “protest”, (memorial doesn’t sound as good), my have started out with the best intention, it quickly went down hill, as it crossed the country. AND, a kid in Ohio was suspended for not “walking out,” well if that isn’t “adults (school officials) having a agenda for THEIR students,” I don’t know what is. ....

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"actually ment"? ment by who? it's not a top-down, owned activity. It was a coming together of people with a variety of agendas. So what's down hill about that?
and rather than take the alt-right media spin as gospel, check out what the kid in Ohio actually says about his new-found fame and the misinterpretation of his actions.

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Finally, Kids are killed in Chicago ALL THE TIME, and the Media is silent!

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it's NOT silent. It's just that someone called 'squirrel' so the media's on something else right now. If Trump et al would calm down a bit they might revisit that story.
And why does the right always want to pick on my home town? Pick some other place to take out-of-context anecdotes from...

This year, Forbes named Chicago the country's fourth most-miserable city.
-Foreclosures plague the city ...
-Chicago has more uninsured folks than the national average
-Chicago's high school dropout rate is two points higher than the national average.
-Mayor Rahm Emanuel has caught major flak for his plan to close or consolidate 54 schools.
-Not surprisingly, about one in ten Chicagoans don't have a job.
-Public payrolls are down the most, which disproportionately slams minorities.
-As a result of all this, Chicago has developed a world-renowned gun violence problem.
-In many respects, Chicago is now a city of "used to's."

I notice you don’t live there anymore. Use to? I personally think Chicago is one of the nastiest places on earth right next to Frisco.
End of th story.

V. Putin reportedly said something the other day that sent a chill down my spine; something about how the chaos and upset we are experiencing in the U.S., in our differences and political fighting, show that Democracy doesn't work. Maybe to clear up some of the differences in how we all view the media, social upheaval, etc., we could look at the disruptions in our country coming from outside, whether Russia, China, or any other country.

President Trump has said that Russia has interfered with us; scary to realize that right now they've already infiltrated our infrastructure, power plants, social media, etc. Some Scandinavian country's even teach their children how to recognize Russian attempts to get into their computer systems, social network, etc. Why don't we come together as a nation to work on this problem? Maybe that can clear up some of these problems, and misinformation that did come from them and not us.

This was the only issue that I could think of that we know for sure has happened, this Russian interference in our lives and politics, that we all know now did happen. I would like to know how to recognize their signature, what has come from them, what they've tried to do and how. It would give us a common goal as a nation, and maybe help us communicate in problem solving ways for the Democracy we believe in.

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Posted in reply to the post by cw707:

V. Putin reportedly said something the other day that sent a chill down my spine; something about how the chaos and upset we are experiencing in the U.S., in our differences and political fighting, show that Democracy doesn't work.

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It's not just Russia. I've seen commentary about other countries as well with a similar theme. And you can see it here, too -- many people don't really care about 'democracy' as much as they do about who's running things. If it's their side, it's cool. Democracy, meaning someone else's view might prevail, isn't all that compelling in itself. Countries like Brazil apparently have a lot of sentiment towards trading voting rights for order.

What's changing is that with our current authoritarian regime (not just Trump, it's shown by the republican's lack of respect for institutions and voting rights) it's harder for people anywhere in the world to envision that more democracy will improve their lives, compared to something like Putin's or Xi's vision for organizing a government. We're not a good example - but with luck we'll turn into one over the next few years

I’m more worried about some guy in a hut with a dirt floor, that wants to kill Americans then I am about Russia. Also, I’m more worried about China then Russia.

I don’t believe we live in an “authoritarian regime,” that would directly put us inline with China, Iran, Thailand, Cuba, etc... Google that!

I believe:
The United States is a Constitutional Federal Republic (a federation of states with a Representative Democracy). Despite a strong democratic tradition, the U.S. is not a “Direct Democracy“ (where people vote on laws directly.)

AND finally I do think Trump is a tool bag, that being said, he IS our duly elected president. (You can’t deny that, he sits at the desk weather or not we agree “how” he got there.)

And please, please take everything I say with a grain of salt. I am a SARCASM EXPERT! I’ve been around the world several times, I’m stupid smart and quick whitted too. (REALLY QUICK)

AND I STAYED AT A HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS ONCE...
End of th story.

WE HAVE GOTTEN W A Y OFF SUBJECT. I WILL GLADLY LET THIS THREAD GO. HAVE A NICE DAY.

I understand Damage is letting this thread go, (I will miss his humor and input), but if anyone is still interested in furthering the conversation about finding solutions that will help us come together as a nation, I'd be interested. Damage mentioned some "guy in a hut on a dirt floor who hates Americans" is more concerning to him than Russia or China's interference in our Democracy. I can't personally do anything about that guy right this minute, except hope that whatever future actions we take as a country will help change his mind. But what I can do, what we all can do is be more informed and take actions to prevent current interferences. That "guy" wherever he/she may be, isn't the one here, right now, trying to damage our laws and values, so why not come together for a common good? Then we can work on our nation's problems without them being escalated through social media by Russia/China.

I mentioned in my last email about the "chill down my spine" at Putin claiming Democracy doesn't work. The chill was partly because he had said it, but mostly, that many of us fear that these hard right and hard left political positions are pulling our country apart, are destroying our Democracy. It can't work, if we don't make it work; which means getting involved, talking to each other, looking for ways we can come together for common good. Anyway, thoughts, suggestions? Thanks for listening.

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Posted in reply to the post by Damage:

I’m more worried about some guy in a hut with a dirt floor, ...

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Posted in reply to the post by cw707:

...Damage mentioned some "guy in a hut on a dirt floor who hates Americans" is more concerning to him than Russia or China's interference in our Democracy. I can't personally do anything about that guy right this minute, except hope that whatever future actions we take as a country will help change his mind. But what I can do, what we all can do is be more informed and take actions to prevent current interferences....

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they guy in the hut, along with his buddies, isn't really an existential threat. It's personal and easy to grasp, so it's the threat that looms big in the imaginations of people with certain mindsets. I don't mean that pejoratively, we all have a mindset that shapes our reactions.

And it's worth keeping history in mind. None of the awful situations we're in now are unique. They've all been worse at various points in time. Immigrants have been hated, politics has been controlled by the oligarchs, media has been corrupt and sensationalized, people have been ignorant and acted against their own interests, nations have been seized by warlords, great powers have competed and undermined each other. Weird that we've survived this far.

Someone once called Trump America's enema. Works great for me - it's an appropriately grotesque image and analogy. Something to suffer through to purge the poisons that have been accumulating. The positive point of view is that the level of interest, engagement and involvement seems as high or higher than any other time I can find. The 60's demonstrations, maybe, if you lump MLK's movement together with the ones on college campuses. The labor movements early last century, maybe. But I'm not enough of a historian to know. It's pretty remarkable how there are surprising candidates for office all over the country, how the women's marches have persisted and grown, how students were able to coordinate. Even with Soros' vast wealth behind all of it, who would have guessed it'd be so widespread?

So to your question, how do we come together for the common good? I think it'll evolve out of everyone's actions, not out of someone figuring it out. Various people will find themselves at the head of various parades - that's how leaders and movements arise. This isn't fun to be living through, but I think when you look at what's going on from a high enough altitude, it's moving in good directions. The biggest threats are people's complacency and tendency to focus on short-term over long term. So these immediate threats are forcing people to finally engage.

Thanks Podfish for your comments. I also see all the actions being taken and applaud them and participate when I can. I've just been asking myself lately how we can have conversation with those who think Trump is doing a good job, that 35%-43%, and talk about issues like the media, gun control, teens marching, etc. without ending up screaming at each other and hating the other side. I always like more direct communication (I'm not on Facebook or Twitter). I'm not interested in just being "right" anymore; I really do want people to work on these differences, or at least learn to listen better and respect other views. Maybe it is just an individual process. Anyway, I've appreciated everyone's comments, and will continue to ponder these issues. Thanks.

Whoah! Looks like somebody has his tighty-whities in a wad. You might try going commando for a time, see it that helps with your dumbass anger issues.

Also, Bernie has been weak on gun control for years, so no worries there.

https://www.waccobb.net/forums/wacco...9_15-08-32.png

Everything you wanted to know about Bernie Sanders’s record on guns

Richard

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Posted in reply to the post by Damage:

Yes, the kids are being used. ....

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WOW. I must of pulled Richards SWJ trigger!
Personal attack,,, nice.
Very nice astute observation of yours, and by the way, I don’t wear “tights whites” and commando is really bad for males and females. Hahjahahhahahahha

AND remember, if you give a clown a microphone, expect a circus. Note: I’m a happy clown.

TMI bro about your undies. Just trying to be helpful to someone obviously in need.

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Posted in reply to the post by Damage:

WOW. I must of pulled Richards SWJ trigger!
Personal attack,,, nice.
Very nice astute observation of yours, and by the way, I don’t wear “tights whites” and commando is really bad for males and females. Hahjahahhahahahha

AND remember, if you give a clown a microphone, expect a circus. Note: I’m a happy clown.

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