RALLY FOR THE CAUSE
Congress Park gathering calls for end to gun violence
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.
» Wear Orange Weekend encourages Americans to wear orange to symbolize gun violence. Nearly 100 gathered at Congress Park Saturday afternoon, led by students at Saratoga County high schools, to rally with calls to end gun violence in America.
In April, Saratoga Springs High School students participated in the nationwide school walkout, which drew the attention of a local branch of Students Demand Action in Schuylerville. Saratoga Springs High School and Schuylerville High School students teamed up to create Saturday’s event, which included a visit from U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko.
Tonko explained the amount of school-related shootings that have happened this year.
“Twenty-three marks of violence before the end of May is a daunting statistic. One that should
prompt us to come forward with a common sense agenda and make it happen. Make it happen,” Tonko said. “The students have banded across this country, and through the themes of, through the hashtags of, through the mantra of, Team Enough or Not One More, they’re making their voices heard, and I’m convinced they will strike progress, because they will not take no for an answer.”
Several students, including Saratoga Springs High School junior Padraig Bond and Burnt Hills senior Darby Larkin, voiced their concerns about gun violence.
“I’m so glad that I have adults in my life that are willing to listen to me, and that we can get this much support of students who really want to politically participate and who believe in their issues enough to stand up here and speak and we have Congressman Tonko to stand with us,” Larkin said. “This many students do not want to be silenced, and we will work together and we are all connected on this issue.”
Bond explained the importance of Tonko being present Saturday.
“Congressman Tonko being here means that our movement has gained enough momentum to reach the government, and that probably is the most important that we can be getting right now,” Bond said.
Austin Gardener, a junior at Schuylerville High School, played and sung “Hallelujah” shortly before the group walked along Broadway with signs.
In addition to Saturday’s gathering, the city hosted a gun buy-back program, which resulted in more than 60 guns being turned in. The police will dispose the guns.