Students across the country have banded together to stand up to an epidemic that continues to plague the United States: school shootings. On March 14th, 2018 students across the entire country walked out of their classrooms for 17 minutes to honor and stand up for the 17 lives lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in February. The Washington Post called the movement “unprecedented in recent history” as students of all ages left their classrooms to plead for safer gun laws. High schoolers to elementary school students alike held signs and stood up for their right to attend schools where they felt safe. This generation of students haven’t been afraid to challenge current government officials and demand action. “Supporters say the protests represent a realization of power and influence by young people raised on social media who have come of age in an era of never-ending wars, highly publicized mass shootings and virulent national politics.” The students of Stoneman Douglas have been trailblazers in the fight against better gun laws and their impact has influenced people all over the country to stand up too. They have been vocal on social media, popped up on late night talk shows and haven’t been shy about expressing their outrage. Whether you agree or not, it is safe to say that these kids are not going to let this shooting become another statistic that is only cushioned by thoughts and prayers. The courageous events continue with a national Walk for Our Lives protest taking place across the country on March 24th, 2018.