George and Amal Clooney pledge $500,000 to March for Our Lives
By Robin Lempel
George and Amal Clooney have pledged $500,000 to March for Our Lives in the name of their twins. “Our children’s lives depend on it,” George said.
Amal and George Clooney are contributing to the gun violence protest March for Our Lives in a big way. The human rights lawyer and actor have pledged a whopping $500,000 for the cause.
“Amal and I are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women from Stoneman Douglas High School,” George said in a statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country, and in the name of our children Ella and Alexander, we’re donating 500,000 dollars to help pay for this groundbreaking event. Our children’s lives depend on it.”
Following this charitable news, philanthropists Jeffrey and Marilyn Katzenberg announced they would match the Clooneys’ donation.
Jeffrey & Marilyn Katzenberg announce they will also make a $500,000 donation: "We will join Amal and George Clooney on March 24 to stand alongside these remarkable young people" https://t.co/OqtaxGqoWN
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 20, 2018
Oprah Winfrey has now also pledged the same amount:
George and Amal, I couldn’t agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to ‘March For Our Lives.’ These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we’ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard.
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) February 20, 2018
17 people were killed during the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14. Frustrated and furious with the inaction in our country, the students took control and vowed that this would be the last school shooting. With this march and more, they demand that their voices be heard.
Students and survivors Jacqueline Coren, Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, Cameron Kasky, and Alex Wind organized a march for stricter gun control called the March for Our Lives, set for March 24 in Washington, D.C. and cities all around the country.
Now they have the support of one of the biggest power couples in the world. Unsurprisingly, George and Amal are no strangers to activism.
George has endorsed Democratic candidates, fought for a resolution in Darfur, and more. Amal, meanwhile, has a list of accomplishments too long to count. I mean, she’s fighting ISIS. She’s amazing.
Together, the couple also donated $1 million to the Southern Poverty Law Center after the white supremacist attack at the Charlottesville rally.
The Clooneys aren’t the only ones stepping up after the mass shooting in Florida, though. Many celebrities have been inspired by these brave students’ action.
Cameron good talking to you last night. All of your bravery is amazing. I stand with you guys. #march24 #marchforourlives https://t.co/oKG8MmhzaI
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) February 18, 2018
You are the power...March For Our Lives: What to know about the nationwide march led by the Parkland survivors - Mic https://t.co/iqvrbbuOOD
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) February 19, 2018
Parkland Survivors and others that are standing up through the media are so brave and are true role models. I’m speechless at their courage. And so proud that these kids and young adults are our future. #GunControl #ParklandStudents The question now is will our leaders listen.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 19, 2018
Children acting like leaders, while our leader acts like a child. https://t.co/zAZKDjKjGL
— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) February 18, 2018
YESSSSS EMMA GONZALEZ!!!!!!! Thank you for your voice, and for your bravery and honesty while using it✊🏽 https://t.co/7y7Su02uSz
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) February 17, 2018
Funerals are being held today for the teenagers lost in this senseless assault rifle massacre. @realDonaldTrump is teeing off on the par-4 7th hole right about now.
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) February 19, 2018
Shame on you, Mr. President.
Next: How you can participate in the 2018 national school walkout
Thanks to these students refusing to back down and the powerful support behind them, we may finally see some change. Will you be at the March for Our Lives? Let us know in the comments.