Power concedes nothing without demand. Those in government who currently wield the power of crafting legislation and have done nothing in the face of the crisis generated by mass school shootings were served notice on Saturday. A genuine grassroots movement is on the rise and their collective voices demanding action to reign in gun violence were heard today in the Nation’s Capitol, in every major city in the United States and around the World. There was even an event on Tulsa’s Guthrie Green. Yours truly was present and can attest that there was a genuine feeling in the air that we were witnessing a transformational and historical moment; the starting point of a bona fide movement larger than any one person, member or spectator, as it went roaring off the launching pad.
Although there were a few indications that long time activists and organizations dedicated to reducing and eliminating gun violence through reforming gun laws were heavily involved in this protest as evidenced by their presence, make no mistake about it. This day belonged to the youth, those who have borne the brunt of so much inaction and neglect by those in control of government. This was their day for the movement they represent to take flight. Indeed, their voices were amply loud and too numerous to ignore, even on Tulsa’s Guthrie Green.
As noted above, there were members of activist groups present like Moms Demand Action and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. I will vouch that there was at least one politically affiliated group there, Yours Truly’s very own Oklahoma Democratic Party Veterans Committee. This event was actively supported by the ODPVC and the Oklahoma African American Democratic Federation. All the activists and politically affiliated groups were well received and there was a definite atmosphere of like-mindedness among all in attendance. It was also perfect weather for a protest march.
Aside from our Democratic Veterans banner and a few signs critical of the incumbent *President, it was for the most part non-partisan but not apolitical. As the speakers, all youth except for one adult teacher, took their turns at the microphone, it became apparent to me that we were witnessing the next generation of change agents taking their place in the spotlight of history. There was some dispute in the estimated numbers attending the Washington, DC event. The organizers estimated the attendance numbered around 800,000 and a professional imaging firm estimated the crowd size at just over 200,000. I will vouch that the numbers did tell the story, even in Tulsa where an estimated 2500 or more citizens took part in the moment. As the local march began, it was apparent that the numbers of participants exceeded those of the Occupy Tulsa March in 2011, an event to which Yours Truly was also present. As with the Occupy Tulsa march, it was a very peaceful demonstration of the 1st Amendment rights of several hundred citizens. The youth event organizers appeared to go the extra mile so to speak to make safety an imperative, up to and including discouraging engagement with counter protesters. Although the Veterans Committee members only marched a couple of blocks, no counter protesters were seen.
For all the dispute about the attendance numbers, there are still many critics who cling to the baseless notion that these kids were all put up to this and that all the rally attendees are paid actors (a conservative acquaintance went so far as to specifically tell me so via social media). Regardless of the estimated numbers, these young activists are following up with substance. It doesn’t matter really what the final tally on the crowd size may have been. The associated event activities carry much more weight than mere bragging rights. Expanding the voter rolls with newly minted voters will do more to make believers out of skeptics on Election Day than any aerial, satellite, or street level photo ever will. The elected officials in charge to whom the message of these youths are directed have had every opportunity to do something, anything, to reign in the gun violence crisis. These aspiring agents of change are taking the initiative to make sure that legislative inaction becomes a political millstone around the neck of derelict politicians. It is not every day of the World that a social and political movement is launched before the very eyes of those like Yours Truly who live for such things. This is hopefully going to be the starting point of an entirely new era of revamped priorities that places the right to not get randomly shot above the right to own a military grade firearm. As is always the case in the beginning of an undertaking of such grand magnitude, the enthusiasm of Saturday could be felt far and wide. Enthusiasm might wane with setbacks but motivation will not. I mean how many more school children have to get shot before for enough policymakers get the message that enough is enough? These children really are the future and the future is upon us all now!
nice work
Im so proud.