March for Our Lives: All you need to know about the protest

Find out everything you need to know about this Saturday’s March for Our Lives protest. The main demonstration will be in D.C., but over 800 cities have pledged to rally as well.

Last month’s school shooting Parkland, Florida did more than shock the nation. It galvanized it.

Since the February 14th shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, survivors as well as families of the 17 students and teachers killed have rallied for gun reform. Their literal cries and screams for change will culminate this Saturday with the March for Our Lives protest.

Following a national school walkout held on March 14, the March for Our Lives protest will continue to raise awareness for gun reform while calling on politicians and lawmakers to address gun violence in America and implement comprehensive gun control legislation.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is March for Our Lives?

March for our Lives is a demonstration organized by #NeverAgain, survivors of the Stoneman Douglas shooting. Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control advocacy group, is helping to plan and coordinate the event.

The event’s website lists March for Our Lives’ top three demands:

Pass a law to ban the sale of assault weapons frequently used in mass shootings; weapons used in Las Vegas, Orlando, Sutherland Springs, Aurora, Sandy Hook and, most recently, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
Prohibit the sale of high-capacity magazines used in recent mass shootings.
Close the loophole in America’s background check law and require a background check on every gun sale, including those that happen at gun shows.

When and where is the protest?

The main march will be in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, March 24. The rally starts at 12 p.m. ET, with participates gathering on Pennsylvania Avenue, between 3rd Street and 12th Street. Learn more about the D.C. rally here.

There are over 800 sibling protests happening across not just the nation but the world. From Chicago and New York City to Paris, Madrid and Tokyo, you can find a march near you here.

Who can attend?

Anyone can attend the march. Their website notes that attendees commit to “participate nonviolently and in accordance with the law, to work to de-escalate confrontations with others, and to obey the orders of authorized event marshals and of law enforcement.”

What will happen during the protest?

Parkland student survivors like Cameron Kasky and Emma Gonzáles will be at the D.C. march, but the event has already garnered attention from politicians and celebrities.

Musical guests like Jennifer Hudson, Common, Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato will perform onstage. George and Amal Clooney said they’d attend the rally when they recently pledged $500,000 to its cause.

How can I prepare?

You can RSVP for the event and read its mission statement on their website. This will help organizers be able to properly estimate the event’s attendance. As of now, over 300,000 people are expected to attend the D.C. rally.

Prep a bag with essentials for the day, including your phone, small snacks, water, and an external battery pack (may be hard to find places to plug in). Depending where you’ll be marching, check the weather to see if you’ll need to dress lightly or for the cold. Cell phone reception can be spotty during a large event, so pick a meeting spot and meeting time if you’re going with a group and people get separated.

Free rides and food will be provided at certain protest locations thanks to Lyft, Shake Shack, Sugar Shack and more.

Which social media accounts and hashtags should I follow?

The national march’s handles are below:

Twitter: @AMarch4OurLives
Instagram: @marchforourlives
#MarchForOurLives will be the main hashtag, but you can also use #neveragain, #GunReformNow, and #OrganizeStudents2018.

If I can’t attend at all, what can I do to support March for Our Lives?

For those who cannot make it to the D.C. march or similar protests can still support March for Our Lives by signing their petition for gun reform.

You can also donate to this GoFundMe campaign asking for donations for the day of protest. There’s also merchandise you can purchase, with proceeds helping to fund the march.

With the main purpose of the march being gun reform, you can make sure to register to vote in 2018’s mid-term elections and learn more ways to support gun control legislation.

Emma Gonzáles wrote in a letter for the rally, “We need our voices heard by as many people as possible. Please help us amplify our voices by using yours. Be part of this moment in time.”

Let us know if you’ll be attending the March for Our Lives rally in D.C. or another city!

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