Students in charge with town halls
Student activists inspired by the students of Parkland, Fla., and the March for Our Lives rally organized a town hall yesterday afternoon to question leaders on gun violence and prevention.
U.S. Reps. Michael E. Capuano and Stephen F. Lynch were among state legislators and city councilors in Roxbury who took part in a “Town Hall for Our Lives.” Similar events were held state- and nationwide.
Capuano said the state has done more than pretty much anybody on gun legislation, but it could always do more.
“The most important thing is that (students) haven’t lost focus,” he said. They are committed to the issue and I think that they’re trying to get things done and that’s what it’s going to take.”
Student organizer Jack Torres, 16, of Somerville High School said keeping the issue in the forefront of the minds of elected officials is what their movement is all about.
“I think Massachusetts has taken a lot of great steps,” he said.
Torres pointed specifically to the state’s assault weapons ban that was upheld by a federal judge Friday.
“I think that’s something that definitely the rest of the country can look up to,” Torres said.
Town hall participants asked if the state’s strict gun laws can be replicated at the national level and if more can be done to keep guns from coming into their communities from other states.
Torres was pleased with the turnout and the questions asked.
“I feel good. I think that they really listened to us,” he said. “It’s a tough conversation to have but I think that people were very passionate and that the elected officials were really listening.
“We have a unique opportunity as young people, as students, to get politically active right now,” Torres continued. “We have momentum to really make change in this. And I think that it’s important for all young people across the nation to seize that opportunity.”
State legislators also applauded the students for organizing the event while touting the passage of the criminal justice reform bill that has now landed on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk.