Arizona
‘I want our lawmakers to act now’: Hundreds march at Arizona capitol calling for gun control
PHOENIX – A convincing name for gun reform was heard throughout the nation on June 11 as 1000’s rallied from the Nationwide Mall in Washington DC to Phoenix, pushing for stricter gun legal guidelines within the wake of current lethal mass shootings.
In Arizona, lots of of individuals, together with educators, college students and people who have been victims of gun violence, gathered on the state capitol in downtown Phoenix. Lots of the organizers are younger individuals however sufficiently old to recollect the Stoneman Douglas Excessive College capturing 4 years in the past.
As soon as once more, they name on lawmakers for gun reform.
Earlier than lots of marched on the state capitol, audio system made their frustrations recognized about ongoing gun violence in America.
“As a mother and as an educator, I would like our lawmakers to behave now,” mentioned Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kathy Hoffman.
The rally went on peacefully regardless of a gaggle of civilians who arrived armed with rifles.
The city of Uvalde remains to be recovering from final month’s bloodbath the place 19 kids and two academics have been killed in a college capturing. One of many victims, 10-year-old Maite Rodriguez was reportedly unrecognizable after the capturing, and solely her inexperienced Converse with a hand-drawn coronary heart have been left as clear proof to assist determine her.
“I might determine my children in nearly any circumstances however to know I would not have the ability to determine them in that circumstance and that was the one factor that was left of her?” mentioned Chandler resident, Sam Crowl.
She got here to the rally carrying her Converse in Maite’s honor.
A drive-by capturing left Democratic state consultant Jennifer Longdon paralyzed. Now, she’s an advocate for victims and continues to introduce gun management laws.
“I am Jennifer Longdon. 18 years in the past, I used to be practically killed by random gun violence,” she remarked.
Explaining her stances on gun management, she says, “One in all them is as simple as a violence screening earlier than you buy a firearm. That is what a common background test is, do you have got a violent historical past? protected storage measures training round protected storage.”
Longdon says adjustments are occurring, however not quick sufficient. She has hope watching younger organizers lead the march on the capitol, she says.
“I could not be extra pleased with these younger individuals if I had given delivery to each one in every of them,” Longdon mentioned.
As for the group of armed civilians, they walked across the rally, talking in opposition, however organizers reminded everybody to not interact.