This Saturday, students and adults alike will take to the streets, calling for an end to gun violence at schools.
The official March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C., was started by teenage survivors of the deadly high school shooting in Parkland, Fla. But it has since grown to include more than 800 sister marches across the world, including the one in Denver.
If you plan to attend the Denver march, here’s what you need to know:
What is it: Shannon Hayes, a member of the event’s organizer Never Again Colorado, said the march is calling for an end to gun violence. It is not, she said, a partisan march aiming to take away people’s guns nor calling for the repeal of the Second Amendment. This march, as well as sister marches, were organized by young people.
When is it: A rally that should run for 40 minutes to an hour starts at 2 p.m. The march will take place after. Hayes said organizers are asking teens to show up early.
Where is it: The rally will be held at Civic Center Park. Marchers will head north into downtown, returning back to the park.
Transportation: Regional Transportation District has additional buses and trains on standby to supplement regular weekend services if needed. Specific route and schedule information can be found at RTD-Denver.com.
Lyft is offering up to $1.5 million of free rides to marches across the nation, including in Denver. To claim the promo, RSVP to the rally at www.marchforourlives.com. On Friday, ride codes will be distributed. If you don’t RSVP, ride codes will be available at www.lyft.com/MFOL on Saturday morning. Put the code in under the promos tab. For the code to work, you must enter the official March for Our Lives rally as your destination.
Weather: The forecast calls for sunshine and high temperatures in the low 70s, according to the National Weather Service. Hayes advised people to bring water and wear sunscreen.
Speakers: There are 11 speakers scheduled.
- The Rev. Tammy Williams – her son is a Columbine High School shooting survivor
- Tish Beauford – Women’s March organizer
- Tom Mauser – his son died during the Columbine shooting
- Ally Olsen and Brooke Engel – Arapahoe High School shooting survivors
- Marcus Weaver – Aurora theater shooting survivor
- Diana Dang – a survivor of the Isla Vista killings near the University of California, Santa Barbara campus
- Sam Craig -organizer of Jeffco Students United for Action
- Sara Grossman – a friend died in the Pulse night club shooting in Florida
- Olivia Caudil – an 11-year-old activist
- Coni Sanders – her father died during the Columbine shooting
- Maddie King – a survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting