More than 100 Berkley teens are heading to Washington, D.C. late Friday night to take part in a national gathering known as “March for our Lives.”
The event, organized primarily by students, is expected to rival some of the largest protests in Washington in recent memory — what makes it unique are the faces behind it: students who are calling on politicians to stop gun violence in schools.
“I think that’s important to see,” said Reginald Hawkins, a senior at Berkley High School who has helped organize two packed rally buses to make the trip to D.C. “As a young person we don’t see our voices in on place — people with similar opinions taking action — but now we see that.”
Hawkins said the idea to make the trip was so well received that an initial meeting had students standing in the hallway of his school vying for position to hear the plan. The trip wasn’t cheap, but they filled up the first rental bus with relative ease and decided to add a second. They’ve also created a GoFundMe account (here) for those who are going, but concerned about the cost.
The trip won’t be long — the young activists will hop on buses at 11 p.m. Friday night and take a trip to D.C. for the march, hop back on the bus, and return to Michigan.
Hawkins said it may be a short trip, but that it’s too important of a moment in history to miss out on.
“I just want to see a change so w hen my younger siblings and friends, or even when I go to school, that we don’t have to worry about being on a lockdown or worry about somebody coming to do some tragedy to our building.”
March for Our Lives will begin at noon on Saturday along Pennsylvania Avenue. There are hundreds of companion marches taking place throughout the United States at the same time, including a march that is scheduled in Detroit.
