"We Unite For Safety" Rally Held In Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Another rally for common sense gun laws took place in Gloucester Township Sunday morning.

Students from the three Black Horse Pike Regional School District high schools — Highland, Timber Creek and Triton — marched from Lincoln Drive to Veterans Park Sunday morning. They displayed a banner that read "Highland High School Students March On Washington, March For Safety, March For Our Lives."

Once they reached Veterans Park, they assembled at the gazebo, where Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-4) and Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer spoke. Student representatives from each high school who helped put the event together also spoke. Those in attendance were encouraged to register to vote.

"Parkland survivors stood up and faced our government," Highland Regional High School Class President Dan Walker said. "They started the change we need. ... We do this for them. They started the movement and it's essential that we keep the movement going."

Walker spoke about the need to change things from the bottom up, going up from the local government to the federal government. He emphasized that the movement shouldn't be polarized or politicized. He said Parkland survivors have shown change is possible, "only if we unite."

Timber Creek junior Ian Malone encouraged those in attendance to register to vote and to be active in the push for stricter gun laws. Students at all three schools will be holding voter registration drives as well.

"This is activism, this is Democracy at work," Mosquera said. "This is what America's all about. When we see something that is unjust, we speak up. We say something. On behalf of the State of New Jersey, thank you for what you're doing and let's continue to fight this."

Mayer ensured everyone that safety of the students is a priority for the police department and both school districts, and praised the students in their efforts.

"When I met with the students about a month ago, I saw in their eyes their determination to stand up for what they believe in," Mayer said. He then told the students, "Your voices are being heard, you are making a difference and you are the future leaders of America."

The event was organized by Highland Regional High School's senior class, including Walker, Grace Simmons, Ummulkhayer Sameha, Priyanka Sanghavi, and Maya Sandlin, as well as Malone from Timber Creek and Zach Dobinson from Triton.

Although it took place on a much smaller scale, Sunday's event followed two national school walkout events on March 14 and April 20, a forum at Timber Creek and a remembrance ceremony at Highland. Students from Highland also marched on Washington, D.C. The events were all spurred by the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine's Day.

Read more here: Students Continue Fight For Gun Safety In Gloucester Township