As the March For Our Lives protest extended across the globe, Morristown, New Jersey also took part with an estimated 13,000 participants, according to the event’s Facebook page.
13,000 attend #MarchForOurLivesMorristown pic.twitter.com/rbi6Lsmdiy
— Peggy wright (@PeggyWrightDR) March 24, 2018
The event was planned by a team of West Morris Mendham High School students including Bella Bhimani, Danilo Lopez, Carina Pacheco and Julio Granados.
Students lead the March For Our Lives protest in Morristown, New Jersey.
Sunah Choudhry | The Montclarion
Before the march, student organizers from West Morris Mendham High gave multiple speeches about how there is no time to wait for gun reform.
Ruby has more common sense than some of our leaders @AMarch4OurLives #MarchForOurLives #MarchforourLivesMorristown @MomsDemand #NJPolitics #NeverAgain #ENOUGH pic.twitter.com/bqpYiKvaX8
— Maureen 🟧 (@momulvaney68) March 24, 2018
Montclair State University Alumna Lindsey Hresko holds her sign as she poses for a photo.
Sunah Choudhry | The Montclarion
Lindsey Hresko, a Montclair State alumna, attended the event because she believes, as an educator, that she should support her students and their concerns.
“This is an issue that is really important to me,” Hresko said. “I think that the Second Amendment is super outdated, and I think it’s about time we do something about this. I work in education so I work at a college. It is so impactful to me to see the students leading a movement that they are so passionate about. If they’re out here, I should be out here.”
Abby Mah holds up her sign at the Morristown Town Hall during the March For Our Lives protest.
Sunah Choudhry | The Montclarion
Abby Mah, a 15-year-old, stood among her friends in protest as she held her poster that read, “I should be writing my college essay, not my will.”
“Because if we won’t, who will?” Mah said. “We are the kids that are gonna get shot. We need to stand up for ourselves.”
One of Mah’s friends, Cecilia Smith, also felt strongly about how important it is for her and her friends to protest at the event.
“I think it’s incredibly important to march for this cause because we’re all here to inspire each other to keep moving forward in the fight,” Smith said. “Because we have to march for the people in schools today but as well as the people in schools tomorrow because we want to make sure they can wake up one day and not be afraid of the things that are tormenting us.”
Luis Montesinos, a Montclair State University psychology professor, marches along with the protesters in Morristown, New Jersey.
Sunah Choudhry | The Montclarion
Montclair State psychology professor Luis Montesinos also expressed his frustration with guns being easily accessible to purchase.
“We have to protect our children and we have to protect ourselves,” Montesinos said. “This doesn’t make any sense and this clown we have in the presidency has to go. That is the main reason why I am here. He has to go.”
Zauria Taylor (right) with her mother and little sister protest at the March For Our Lives protest in Morristown, New Jersey.
Sunah Choudhry | The Montclarion
Zauria Taylor along with her mother and little sister from Rahway, New Jersey attended the protest because they believe there needs to be a change when it comes to buying guns.
“I’m out here because, I mean I guess it had to take us to actually act and even though it’s the adult’s job to protect us, we have to march for ourselves and march for our lives,” Taylor said.
Mitchell Cobert, a Democratic nominee for New Jersey’s 11th District, poses for the camera.
Sunah Choudhry | The Montclarion
Mitchell Cobert, a Democratic nominee for the 11th District, came out in support of the protesters that showed up to march.
“I’m here today to support all of the students that are so brave and courageous and are standing up for what is so important, which is gun control,” Cobert said. “And preventing any further incidents in any of the schools. They have to stand up. They have to be brave. They are brave, and I applaud every one of them.”
