The Democratic National Party sent me this email yesterday, titled “We have failed.” Notice how vague it is in terms of solutions to “gun violence.” And how Ms. Taub relies on guilt to motivate her Democratic base.
Today at 10 a.m. students across the nation walked out of their classrooms for 17 minutes. They did it in remembrance of the 17 innocent lives that we lost at Stoneman Douglas and to call for gun legislation that will make us all safer.
As a high school student, I once walked the halls and sat in the classrooms at Stoneman Douglas. Aaron Feis, the assistant football coach who was killed while protecting students, was a friend of mine. He died the same way he lived — a selfless hero. He used his body as a shield and threw himself in front of students as bullets hailed down.
With today’s walkout, we not only honor those who were lost — we also come together with new resolve to end these tragedies once and for all.
I will not allow my high school to simply become another statistic, and Stoneman Douglas students are leading the fight to ensure that it does not.
Today I hope you will stand with them. Add your name to demand Congress pass common-sense gun legislation to keep us all safe from gun violence.
SIGN THE PETITION
Too many politicians act as if these shootings are just a fact of everyday life — as if there’s nothing we could have done to stop the massacre at my high school and nothing we can do to prevent the next one.
We must not accept that we are too powerless to make progress, or that the NRA is too powerful to defeat.
The courage of students across the country who took action during the walkout today will outlast the cruel indifference of the NRA. It will outlast the cowardice of Republican congressional leaders who refuse to bring any meaningful legislation to the floor.
Whether or not you have a personal connection to Stoneman Douglas, it’s clear that we have failed our students, our teachers, and our country. We cannot let another massacre like this happen — and right now it’s up to us to demand change.
Stand in solidarity with students across the country today by adding your name to demand Congress pass legislation to keep us safe from gun violence.
Thanks for taking a stand against gun violence.
Yasmine
Yasmine Taeb
Stoneman Douglas Alumna
DNC MemberP.S. — Last week Florida’s GOP-controlled state legislature and governor signed new gun restrictions into law. But they also provided funding to help train and arm school staff members. The only way to actually make us safer from gun violence is by voting Republicans out, and in the meantime we have to put pressure on our elected representatives. Add your name to demand Congress take action on gun violence.