The March For Our lives is taking place Saturday March 24th and is expected to welcome a huge crowd of supporters. With the identified goal of protecting students in schools all across the country, politicians are sure to hear about the walk. Organizers of the March in D.C. have students lined up to speak on the subject, as well as musical performances by Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, and others. This March is sure to gain lots of attention as many parents, students, teachers, faculty, and members of the community plan to stand up for children’s safety.
The effects of The March For Our Lives is likely to be similar to The Women’s March held in January 2017 and 2018. Many members of the AU community participated in the Marches, and we asked them why they decide to March in important events such as The March For Our Lives. Rebecca Helfrich, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, says that she marches for the women in her life who gave her so much, but also inspired her. She marches in hopes of one day she will get to vote for another female candidate, possibly with her own children, and that she’ll win. Many members of the AU community feel inspired by those in their lives, and through marching hope to further the goals of their mentors.
Other students march in order to change the minds of politicians and make it known where they stand. For example, Rose Hutchison, studying International Relations, states “I’m marching because school should be a place of safety and learning and unrestricted access to firearms destroys these most fundamental aspects of education”. In alignment with the political goals of the March For Our Lives, Rose surely hopes to bring about change. Amrutha Chatty, a CLEG major, marches to take a stand, and force lawmakers to take action. She feels that is important to voice her opinions and successfully utilize the democratic system. Marches are bringing light on major issues, and will hopefully do more than gain attention from members in power.
According to Abhinav Gupta, an assistant professor of strategic management at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, found that disruption (such as the marches) get attention, combined with evidence and persuasion change minds. Rachel Pederson, also in the School of International Service, marching offers a sense of solidarity and unity to reignite and reenergize movements and transforms political opinions and concerns into action. The American University Community partakes in this solidarity and unity, and many will be in the 2018 March for our lives.
If you were inspired to March in your local walks the link to the official website is here