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Victoria says #NeverAgain in solidarity with March For Our Lives

Youth Political Commons invites public to rally against gun violence March 24 at legislature
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A commemorative exhibition and call to action, Parkland 17, by artist Evan Pestaina in Miami, Florida. Emma Gonzales Twitter photo

This Saturday, students and residents across the city will rally in the March For Our Lives, a show of solidarity with survivors and victims of gun violence.

The march, initiated by the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High who survived a shooting Feb. 14 at their Parkland, Fla. school, has gained worldwide momentum and is expected to draw crowds similar to the Women’s March in January.

In Victoria, the Youth Political Commons – a group of concerned local high school students dedicated to engaging youth in political discussion – is spearheading the rally March 24, due to start at 1 p.m. at the legislature.

Founder and co-president of the YPC, Magritte Gordaneer, said the goal is to make sure no more lives are lost to gun violence in the U.S., or anywhere else.

“This is a show of support for students like us, and educators who must go to work in a climate of fear and violence,” she said.

Also Saturday, a student-led demonstration will take to the streets of Washington, D.C. in a stand against what they call the inaction of politicians and lawmakers to end the epidemic of mass school shootings. Part of the #NeverAgain campaign, sister marches are planned in cities across North America.

“Politicians are telling us that now is not the time to talk about guns,” it reads on the event’s website. “March For Our Lives believes the time is now.”

On Feb. 14, when students fled an active shooter in the halls of their Parkland high school, it was already the eighth school shooting in the first month and a half of 2018. Since then, at least nine more have occurred; on average, a shooting takes place every week and a half in America.

“We care about the students who fear for their lives when they go to school,” said Gordaneer, who with the Youth Political Commons will welcome speakers and guests including the Raging Grannies.

For more information, visit MarchForOurLives.com or the March For Our Lives - Victoria BC Facebook page.

kristyn.anthony@vicnews.com