WHY THEY MARCHED
We asked readers on latimes.com to share why they joined the March for Our Lives. Here are some of their responses. To read all of them, visit latimes.com/voices:
“I’m marching because this is the first time since Columbine I think my voice matters. I thought Sandy Hook would do it, and almost lost hope for change, until the Parkland kids gave me the courage to stand with them.” —Jordan Ulloa Pomona
“The grandson of a dear friend was killed trying to save his peers in a school shooting. The statistics of countries that have instituted sane gun legislation show we would suffer far fewer violent gun deaths with ... reasonable regulations . ... After the death of heroic young Sam Strahan, marching will be very personal for me.” —Sharon Heath Los Angeles
“My daughter, Jenna, is a sophomore at Douglas and was cowering in a closet during the murders at her school.” —Marc Harris Parkland, Fla.
“My cousin’s daughter was killed in Aurora, and my niece ran for her life in Las Vegas and survived. My high school daughter has been fearful about going to high school here in L.A. The assault weapons have to go and someone has to rein in the NRA. Reasonable minds must prevail.” —Carole Suzuki Playa Vista
“We are older people and want the young students to know we care and are with them. So, at our living facility, we are having a ‘sitting march’ on March 24 to remember the Parkland high school victims and to salute the survivors.” —Sara Kinsell Thousand Oaks
“I am a retired teacher with more than 50 years in the classroom. I have no choice but to join the march. I have lost students, and others, to gun violence.” —Joan Newcomb Fresno
“In 1985, my 24year-old brother was shot [and killed] . ... In 2003, my 42-year-old brother committed suicide by shooting himself. I am marching to support commonsense gun laws that would help protect all Americans.” —Tom Williams Los Angeles
“I have a daughter in kindergarten. I don’t want her growing up thinking she might be killed — at school.” —Will Jayne Austin, Texas