Targets no more
It started as a localized protest against yet another senseless, tragic school shooting. It mushroomed into a nationwide student walkout, which crossed over into parts of Canada and moved around the world.
Last Wednesday’s demonstrations by thousands of students across the globe were remarkable.
They’re refusing to be defenseless pawns in the fight over gun control. Demonstrations signal that a new, powerful force is mobilizing that can lead to positive change.
In Florida, where a Feb. 14th massacre saw a young man kill 17 students and staff at a high school in Parkland, you have to be 21 to buy alcohol. The state has zero-tolerance laws for minors caught drinking and driving. Yet 18-year-olds can legally purchase assault rifles.
Students are tired of being the next targets while lawmakers do nothing but send thoughts and prayers and repeat the empty mantra that now is not the time to discuss gun control.
The attack in Florida was the 17th school shooting in the U.S. within the first 45 days of 2018, so when is a good time?
Students say that time is now. Politicians, including U.S. President Donald Trump, were told their thoughts and prayers were useless and do nothing to prevent further slaughter.
Adults: It’s your move, students say after historic walkouts
The marches sought sensible changes from lawmakers: a ban on assault weapons, universal background checks before guns are sold, and a gun violence restraining law.
The students are getting results. They’re debating powerful politicians and the National Rifle Association. They got a meeting at the White House with Trump; they pressured Florida lawmakers to pass a tougher gun law.
Major companies have stopped selling assault rifles or restricting their sale, and some corporate deals with the NRA have been voided. Students are challenging candidates to reject NRA campaign donations — “blood money.”
Students helped accomplish these things in mere days.
And what got lawmakers to finally pay attention? It was simple — the ultimate power of the ballot box. Many student organizers will be able to vote in this fall’s mid-term elections in the U.S., and many more in the next general election. Nervous and anguished parents will support their children. It’s a powerful voting bloc which will only grow.
Last year saw the #MeToo movement take off as women mobilized to protest gender inequality and exploitation. Many powerful men, who thought themselves immune, were made to acknowledge the truth and face consequences. Women flexed their power like never before.
The same opportunity awaits these young people. If they can curb gun violence today, what momentous deeds can they accomplish tomorrow?
This generation is determined not to fail. They’re vowing to clean up the mess left behind by adults and make the world a safer place.
They promise, “we are going to be the last mass shooting.”
Let’s hope they’re right
Weather has been playing a factor in a delay by the provincial Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (TIR) in painting the lines at the intersection with Exit 29 on Highway 103 and the Ohio Road leading out of Shelburne.
With only small pieces of reflective tape to mark the maze of lanes, including ones that lead to retailers and also a left turning traffic onto Highway 103, many motorists have been complaining about the poor visibility of the markings. Many have been airing these complaints on social media, with some saying they’ve witnessed near misses involving vehicles and others saying they’ve witnessed apparent confusion by other drivers.
When recently contacted, TIR spokesperson Marla MacInnis said although the Department “completed most work on exit 26 in Shelburne, due to weather, temperature and moisture conditions, we have not yet been able to paint the lines. This work will be completed once conditions are more favourable.”
Work to the exit included adding turning lanes both on Highway 103 and the Ohio Road. The provincial transportation department said the work was carried out to make the intersection safer.