LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Politics

Thousands march in U.S. for stronger gun-control laws

1
2018-03-26 08:10:57Xinhua Gu Liping ECNS App Download
People take part in the

People take part in the "March for Our Lives" rally in Washington D.C., the United States, on March 24, 2018. (Xinhua/Yang Chenglin)

Tens of thousands of people marched Saturday in southern California in solidarity with the Florida high school mass shooting, as part of a series of student-led marches for stronger gun control laws across the United States.

It was the latest display of frustration by students with the national debate on gun control.

In Los Angeles, students and demonstrators lined up near City Hall, where students, celebrities and local politicians raised their voices to put an end to the cycle of school shootings.

Protesters held banners and signs that read "Protect Kids Not Guns" and "Arms Are For Hugging", chanting "Hey NRA, how many kids did you kill today?"

The NRA refers to the pro-gun group of the National Rifle Association.

The call-and-response chants rippled through the crowd of thousands of students, parents and grandparents and echoed off the historic buildings of Broadway's theater district.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was one of the first speakers. He began by leading the crowd in a call and response: "Whose streets?" he said, and the crowd roared "Our streets!" "Whose lives?" "Our lives!" "Whose nation?" "Our nation!"

The mayor welcomed "our leaders, the students who are here today" and told them "today will be written in the history books that your children will read."

He pointed to California's bans on assault rifles, bump stocks and waiting periods on gun sales as a model for federal legislation, and closed with a message for President Donald Trump -- "Get with the program Mr. President, or get the hell out of the way."

Police officers on the scene put the early crowd estimate at more than 40,000. Organizers said they anticipated as many as 200,000 people.

Trump's supporters and the National Rifle Association staged a counter-protest at LAPD headquarters in downtown, holding signs such as "Defend the right!" and a flag "Don't Tread On Me" flag.

Other marches also took place in Southern California, according to the City News Service.

The events were organized or inspired by some student survivors of the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead. The carnage was allegedly carried out by a 19-year-old former student who had legally purchased an assault rifle.

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.