'March For Our Lives' rally in Lower Manhattan urge leaders to take gun reform seriously

The March For Our Lives movement founded in 2018 has aimed to change the debate on gun violence. Activists have been building a movement of young adults and supporters and asking elected officials to put gun violence prevention at the top of their agenda.

News 12 Staff

Jun 11, 2022, 2:36 PM

Updated 924 days ago

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Thousands of gun reform advocates crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into Lower Manhattan Saturday during the “March For Our Lives” event.
The March For Our Lives movement, founded in 2018, has aimed to change the debate on gun violence. Activists have been building a movement of young adults and supporters and asking elected officials to put gun violence prevention at the top of their agenda.
"It's time for the federal government to really come forward with a concrete game plan. I don't understand why anybody in the United States at this point in time needs to own an assault weapon," said Jeff Sorkin, Executive Director of UFT Welfare Fund.
Demonstrators called on the Senate for the passage of the Protect Our Kids Act. The demand comes as a series of bills see widespread GOP opposition to stricter gun control.
"Vote these reckless cowardless, these irresponsible elected officials out of office because they're spinless, gutless and they're reckless and don't believe power over people," said State Attorney General Letitia James.
As thousands made their way to Manhattan, Mayor Adams spoke to News 12 and said it's important to dam the rivers that feed the sea of violence.
"The far left is saying it's alright for people who are dangerous to stay on the street with guns. The far right is saying let's get as many guns in their hands as possible. These two entities are causing New Yorkers to be unsafe," Adams said.
Saturday's demonstration follows the mass shooting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the supermarket shooting in Buffalo and a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in which 19 children and two teachers were killed.
A bipartisan group of senators are engaging in talks to find a common ground on gun reform, but it is still unclear if anything will come from the effort.