The Parkland students are responding to the Maryland school shooting, and we need to listen
We’re devastated to report that there has been a school shooting at Great Mills High School in Maryland on Tuesday, March 20th. Though the story is still developing, we know that the school went into lockdown in the morning and that there are reportedly at least three injuries. Authorities say that the Maryland school shooting situation has been “contained” and students are safely being evacuated.
Word of the Maryland school shooting spread via Twitter. Much like during the February 14th shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, students in lockdown used Twitter to communicate and spread the word.
“Hi Twitter. I am in Great Mills HS. My school is on a very real lockdown threat and there’s already someone possibly dead. Please pray for us,” Twitter user Mollie Davis tweeted at 8:29 a.m. on Tuesday. She followed up, saying that she was safe and had evacuated.
The Parkland students immediately took to Twitter to comfort the victims and show their support. They also expressed their frustration that yet another school shooting has happened and condemned lawmakers for not acting quickly enough on the issue. And they urged people to get involved, reminding them that the March For Our Lives is on Saturday, March 24th.
Prominent Parkland student activist Emma González was one of the first to speak up.
We are Here for you, students of Great Mills ???? together we can stop this from ever happening again https://t.co/bkzL1FcVgu
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) March 20, 2018
Sarah Chadwick called out lawmakers for not taking action.
We are begging for our lives and politicians countinue to ignore us. This is on their hands. This is what happens when we beg for common sense gun laws and you don’t listen. DO SOMETHING INSTEAD OF JUST SITTING IN YOUR FANCY CHAIRS! https://t.co/RNLZmzzDXz
— Sarah Chadwick// #NEVERAGAIN (@Sarahchadwickk) March 20, 2018
Cameron Kasky said a lot with just two words.
Another shooting.
— Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) March 20, 2018
Jaclyn Corin pointed out the injustice that the Great Mills students had just participated in the national walkout.
Less than a WEEK ago Great Mills High School students walked out with us to protest gun violence...now they’re experiencing it for themselves. The state of our country is disgusting - I’m so sorry, Great Mills.
— Jaclyn Corin (@JaclynCorin) March 20, 2018
Delaney Tarr implored people in power to take action.
Every time I see a headline like this my heart breaks. This should not- this can not be the reality we are forced to live in. My heart goes out to Great Mills. Our goal stands stronger than ever. https://t.co/PTGf09xRpV
— Delaney Tarr (@delaneytarr) March 20, 2018
So much of me wants to scream, to cry, to rage right now. To those of you in power: Do SOMETHING. This can’t be bureaucratic when people are being shot. Put aside the fear of working overtime and just do something.
— Delaney Tarr (@delaneytarr) March 20, 2018
Sofie Whitney assured us that they won’t stop fighting.
Each day it becomes more evident that we need change. We won’t stop fighting. This won’t be the norm. It can’t be. Great Mills High School, on Saturday, and everyday, we stand with you. #MarchForOurLives
— Sofie Whitney (@sofiewhitney) March 20, 2018
So did Chris Grady.
At a loss for words. This is why we will not stop fighting. Maryland, we’re with you every step of the way. https://t.co/dyiTO8psqq
— Chris Grady (@chrisgrady5) March 20, 2018
And Carly Novell.
Great Mills High School, we stand with you. I am so sorry for what you went through today, and that doesn't fix anything, but I am here. We are all here. We're in this together
— Carly Novell (@car_nove) March 20, 2018
Our country is supposed to care about the citizens inhabiting it, not a piece of paper with value attached to it. What has our world come to?
— Carly Novell (@car_nove) March 20, 2018
But the support from Parkland students didn’t stop there.
Prayers out for Great Mills HS ?????????? This needs to stop.
— Joey // #DouglasStrong (@Joey_mondelli) March 20, 2018
Maryland, Parkland has your back. this is why we fight. https://t.co/Zw3XQqn8Qz
— Connor Dietrich// MSD Strong (@CDietrich1007) March 20, 2018
The whole Parkland community came together for Great Mills.
27 too many...
We have to stop this, we have to come together, if our representatives won’t do something — they don’t represent us. #NeverAgain #MarchForOurLives https://t.co/KvSDVLzSDp— Matt Deitsch (@MattxRed) March 20, 2018
I have no words, I am upset, I am pissed off, and I am going to make damn sure that after March 24th this never happens again. https://t.co/is9JySSTlK
— Alfonso Calderón (@Alfonso_Cal) March 20, 2018
Those who have been in their shoes are showing their support.
We are with these students as they go through the same unimaginable events that we at Douglas had to go through. You all are not alone we will stand with you, we will be strong for you, and we will march for you. We love all of you???? https://t.co/Qt2HKiGEyi
— Andrea|#shineMSD (@AndreaPena06) March 20, 2018
I can't wait till we're all adults and fix this stupid world. I just hope we can live to do it.
— Leonor Munoz (@Leonor4Change) March 20, 2018
They agree that thoughts and prayers are not enough.
Are you serious another school shooting. When is this gun violence going to end. Innocent kids are dying. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. #msdstrong #neveragain
— Dylan Kraemer #NEVERAGAIN (@dylan_kraemer) March 20, 2018
how many times does this have to happen before lawmakers start listening to their constituents? https://t.co/aBCKWMSV7e
— nikki (@nikta04) March 20, 2018
Enough is enough. It’s time for lawmakers to listen to these students. They have important things to say, and they can’t — and won’t — be silenced.
