‘March for Our Lives’ set for March 24

On Saturday, March 24, students, teachers, parents, and activists across the country will join students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who have organized a nationwide demonstration called “March for Our Lives.”

While thousands are expected to join the students in Washington, D.C. as they march through the streets of nation’s capital next weekend, several local organizations are joining forces to show solidarity with the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Florida and across the country who have been victimized by violent school shootings.

“March for Our Lives” was organized shortly after the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas when Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school, is accused of opening fired with an AR-15 rifle and murdering 17 people. Students plan to rally together to demand that their lives and safety become a priority.

The local demonstration, which has gained support from Indivisible Forsyth, the Winston-Salem NAACP chapter, Triad Women’s March and RISE Together Piedmont, will be held at Corpening Plaza. Stephanie Bailey, a mother and organizer of the local campaign, said she got involved in the movement by talking to other mothers in the area.

“In the group Forsyth Indivisible, a few mothers expressed our passion for this and the need to get a march started in our area. We were just feeling the urgency to give our students, educators and parents a voice to speak out,” Bailey said.

During an interview with The Chronicle last week, Bailey encouraged the community to come out and support the cause. She said, “The most important thing any member of our community can do is show up.

“We need a large number of people to show up and bring their support so that this event can demonstrate broad public support for this cause.

“March for Our Lives” is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. at Corpening Plaza in downtown Winston-Salem. For more information, visit March for Our Lives, Winston-Salem on Facebook or Eventbrite. To make a donation to support the cost of the demonstration, visit https://www.youcaring.com/marchforourlives-1109747.