Emma Rivera, a determined 17-year-old student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, is a name that will resonate for years to come. Alongside her classmates, she is poised to drive significant change following the devastating mass shooting at their school.
During a powerful rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Rivera delivered a heartfelt address to lawmakers, calling for a reassessment of gun control regulations. “Every person here today should be at home mourning,” she began. “Yet here we stand together because if our government and President can only offer thoughts and prayers, it’s time for victims to be the catalyze the change we need.”
Rivera emphasized the alarming ease with which one can acquire firearms, particularly the types frequently used in mass shootings. “It’s baffling that organizing a weekend with friends is harder than buying an automatic or semi-automatic weapon,” she stated. In Florida, purchasing a gun doesn’t require a permit, license, or registration, a fact she deemed outrageous.
She pointed out that mass shootings are predominantly an American issue, unlike other nations that enforce stricter gun laws. “By doing nothing, we are allowing more lives to be lost,” Rivera declared, insisting that the time for action is now. “We will be the kids you read about in history books—not as another statistic of mass shootings, but as the generation that ended them.”
Rivera addressed the argument that students should have reported their suspicions about the shooter, stating, “We did. Time and again. No one was surprised to learn he was the shooter.” She stressed that the problem extends beyond mental health. “A knife wouldn’t have allowed him to inflict such harm.”
As for President Trump’s lukewarm responses, Rivera is unimpressed. “If the President wants to explain to me how tragic this is while also implying nothing will change, I’ll gladly ask him how much money he’s received from the National Rifle Association,” she said, already knowing the answer: nearly thirty million dollars.
She passionately articulated her frustration with government officials. “Those in power are deceiving us. We kids seem to be the only ones who see through it, and our parents are calling BS,” she asserted. Political caricatures often depict teenagers as self-absorbed and powerless. “We are here to call BS,” she said emphatically. “Especially on politicians backed by the NRA.”
“They claim stricter gun laws won’t reduce violence. We call BS. They argue a good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun. We call BS. They say guns are mere tools like knives and just as safe as cars. We call BS. They insist no laws could have prevented the countless senseless tragedies. We call BS. And they think we’re too young to grasp the workings of government. We call BS.”
Her words have struck a chord across the nation, with social media buzzing as thousands share her speech. Emma Rivera embodies a new generation’s voice, a voice that emerged from the pain of tragedy. It’s heartbreaking that it took such a horrific event to ignite this movement, yet she stands as a beacon of hope.
She concluded her historic address with a rallying cry for action. “If you agree, register to vote. Reach out to your local representatives. Make your opinions known.”
This article first appeared on Feb. 18, 2018.
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In summary, Emma Rivera’s compelling speech at the Fort Lauderdale rally serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for change in gun legislation. Through her determination and the collective voice of her generation, she inspires action and hope in a time of despair.