The “March For Our Lives” protest, which organizers say is a means by which to “demand that a comprehensive and effective bill be immediately brought before Congress to address gun issues,” is taking place this Saturday in Washington D.C.
The event is the brainchild of students from Marjory Stonemason Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, the site last month of a mass shooting, resulting in the deaths of 17 students and teachers. The march has the support of several organizations, including Planned Parenthood and a gun safety advocacy group started by congresswoman Gabby Giffords.
Democrats Abroad (DA), an international association which coordinates voting and other actions among American expats registered with the Democratic Party, is doing its part to support “March For Our Lives,” which is expected to draw as many as 500,000 people in D.C. (Other protests are also being timed around the country – and internationally, it is rumored – to coincide with the D.C. event.)
For DA members who are unable to attend a demonstration in person, the organization is putting together a “virtual rally.” Each member is instructed to take a picture of themselves holding a sign which reads “ENOUGH! Vote them out.” Below this statement are two lines which members fill out with their current location and where they’re registered to vote. They then email the photo back to Democrats Abroad and upload it onto their social media (should they have a presence there) accompanied by one or more of the following hashtags: #MarchForOurLives, #VoteFromAbroad and #DAResists.
Saturday’s march in D.C. will start noon at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 12th Street and end at Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 3rd Street NW.
According to Vox.com, as many as 800 “sibling marches” are planned worldwide.
For more information on Democrats Abroad and/or their virtual rally, go to democratsabroad.org. In addition, go to marchforourlives.com for information about the march. (The site also includes a petition demanding the enactment of stricter gun control laws in the United States.)