 |
| Emma Gonzalez and other Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students conclude the March For Our Lives in Washington on March 24. |
The
Parkland students who created an international movement to raise awareness for
gun violence after a deadly school shooting were awarded the International
Children's Peace Prize on Tuesday.
During
a ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu presented the
award, calling the student organization March For Our Lives one of the most
significant youth-led mass movements in living memory and its founders
"true change-makers."
"I
am in awe of these children, whose powerful message is amplified by their
youthful energy and an unshakable belief that children can — no, must — improve
their own futures," Tutu said.
In the
moments after 17 of their classmates and teachers were killed at Marjory
Stoneman Douglas High School, David Hogg, Emma Gonzalez, Delaney Tarr, Ryan
Deitsch and Jaclyn Corin and more than a dozen others sprang to action, doing
countless media interviews, grilling lawmakers about gun reform during town
halls, and sparking massive walkouts and peaceful protests at schools across
the country.
Matt
Deitsch, a Parkland alumnus whose two younger siblings were students at the
time of the shooting, immediately left college to help form March For Our
Lives.
Hogg,
Gonzalez, Corin and the Deitsch brothers were in South Africa to accept the
award. Gonzalez said the award "serves as a major reminder that the
universe is on the side of justice and that we will win because our cause is
one of peace."
Manuel
Oliver, whose son Joaquin was killed, also spoke during the ceremony. The group
was joined by two students from Chicago Strong, a youth-led initiative to end
gun violence in their hometown, who have worked closely with their cause.
Since
the Valentine's Day massacre, the students have gained international attention,
raised millions of dollars from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and George Clooney
for their grassroots movement and made a slew of television appearances.
Hundreds
of thousands attended their Washington, D.C., march this spring to raise
awareness about gun violence and advocate for safer schools. Many of the
students have called for a ban on assault rifles and universal background
checks. The organization says more than 25 states have passed legislation
consistent with their cause, including Florida.
Please
continue this article, and for video of Desmond Tutu, please go here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/desmond-tutu-awards-peace-prize-parkland-shooting-survivors-n938466?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_ma
No comments:
Post a Comment