Key points

• Ithaca was one of many cities to hold a March for Our Lives rally that focused on reforming gun laws
• Nearly 1,000 people took to The Commons to show their support
• Children and teenagers were praised for their large role in the movement

On March 24, the nation turned to listen.  Across the United States, many cities held rallies to advocate for common sense gun laws, Ithaca included.  Students from Ithaca College did their part as well, gathering at Textor Hall and marching down to The Commons yelling chants such as “No more silence, end gun violence” and “This is what democracy looks like.”

When the students arrived at the rally, over half The Commons was full as nearly a thousand people came out in support.  The rally was peppered with signs and the themes were clear, protecting children, reforming current gun laws, and holding politicians accountable.

Enough is Enough

After 17 people were shot and killed at Stoneman Douglas High School, #enoughisenough became one of many hashtags used on social media that allowed the movement to grow nationally.  Speakers and performers at the event said too many children’s lives have been lost for gun laws not to be implemented.  Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Tompkins County Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Chairperson, hosted the event, and voiced her own frustration.

“We’re patriotic because we love our country, but our country doesn’t seem love us,” she said.

Many speakers, including McBean-Clairborne, attempted to tackle the myths associated with the movement.  They stressed that the movement is not a call to take away guns, but rather to make laws that stop the wrong people from getting the guns so easily.

“Let me be clear, we are not stepping on people’s second amendment rights.  Instead we are standing for the protection of human life,” McBean-Clairborne said.

Eliza VanCort, a mother and social advocate, said that the way to make real change, input must come from everyone, including gun owners.

“Ithaca, we have to remember, we’re not just ten square miles surrounded by reality, Ithaca is ten square miles surrounded by human beings,” VanCort said.  “Many of the hunters I know are loving mothers, fathers, grandmothers who will enlist in our help for desperately needed gun control if we listen to them….It’s time for listening, and it’s time for unity.”

The Youth Movement

The most common theme among speakers was their praise of students and children in their participation in the movement.  Throughout the nation, it was young activists who were at the front and center voicing their opinions.

It started after the Parkland shooting; many students from Stoneman Douglas High School have lead the charge in the wake of their classmates’ deaths.

David Hoggs, a survivor of the Parkland shooting, spoke in Washington D.C. about the tides changing on gun control.

“If you listen real close, you can hear the people in power shaking,” Hoggs said in front of millions at the event.  “We will get rid of these public servants who only care about the gun lobby.”

Children were out in spades in Ithaca as well, from toddlers to teenagers.  The most prominent were Maddi Carroll, Eamon Nunn-Makepeace and Prachi Ruina, the representatives from Students United Ithaca.  After they spoke out against the casting of Ithaca High School’s play, saying it wasn’t racially diverse, they were met with death threats just for speaking out.

At March For Our Lives, they made it clear they were here to say.

“We will not remain silent,” Nunn-Makepeace said.  “So please, listen to young people, including people of color.  We’re the ones most affected, and we’re the ones who want change.”

McBean-Clairborne applauded the students, and said they must continue to be advocates passed their youth.  Her advice, run for local government. She said becoming a public servant of one’s community gives one the power to make the change they want to see in the world.