On Saturday, March 24th, three thousand Connecticut citizens flooded Mill River Park, led by students of Stamford and surrounding communities, in the March for Our Lives, taking a stand on gun violence in light of the recent tragedy in Parkland.

More than thirty speakers and performers addressed the crowd, the majority of whom were students from Fairfield County schools. Young activists, including representatives from the Student Union for Political Expression and Representation (SUPER) called for federal lawmakers to enact common sense gun legislation. Other groups, such as the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council, Moms Demand Action, Women on Watch, and the League of Women Voters lent their passion, memorializing the victims and urging the community to register to vote and make a change.

Music legend Paul Simon was also in attendance, gracing Mill River Park with a short performance.

“While lots of different messages were displayed you got the sense of community and love and protection,” tells Stamford High School senior Brianna Jean who spoke herself on how to move forwards as a community in the face of gun violence.

Mayor David Martin, State Representative Caroline Simmons, and Senators Carlos Leone, Chris Murphy, and Jim Himes all made statements in support of the young activists.

“Listening to the words of our young students, they are our future leaders, but you know what? More importantly, they are our future voters. They are the ones who that are going to make the difference for the politicians who refuse to listen!” proclaimed Leone.

Indeed it is the students who have led the charge to make full use of their democracy:

“So we ask our congressmen and women in the capitol: why have comprehensive background checks failed to be implemented on a national level?” entreats SHS junior Samantha Heller.

This March coincided with marches all across America, most notably the one in Washington DC, in which high-profile student activists like Emma Gonzalez gave impassioned speeches with similar sentiments.

Back at home, Rippowam eighth grader Sophia Dupree poignantly pointed out just how much our lockdown procedures and our nation itself are in need of change: “Teachers, staff, and students, we are now in a lockdown! Our traditional lockdown consists of lights off, blinds down, and the door locked, rushed to the corner and asked to be quiet!” she mocked.

Be quiet? Students from Stamford and across the nation are doing anything but.

Check out a video produced by the organizers of the march here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on2_TxBqXvw&t=21s