Politics & Government
Hoboken ‘End Gun Violence’ Protest On Columbine Anniversary
A student-organized protest rally to "end gun violence" will take place at Hoboken City Hall on April 20.
HOBOKEN, NJ — A student-organized protest rally to “end gun violence” is slated to take place from 4 to 5 p.m. at Hoboken City Hall on Friday, April 20, city officials said. Hoboken Mayor Ravinder Bhalla said that he plans to join the rally, which is scheduled to coincide with the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre.
The event will be hosted by Hoboken members of Students Demand Action Hudson County as well as Moms Demand Action Hudson County, city officials said.
- See related article: Hoboken Students Hold School Walkouts Against Gun Violence
Hoboken student Toby Platt, 13, an organizer of the rally, said that he didn’t intend to “politicize a tragedy” that happened before he was even born.
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“But children’s lives are apolitical, and we need to discuss solutions to gun violence in schools,” Platt said. “The fact is, school shootings have been commonplace my entire life. Mass shooter drills are part of the learning routine - my school had one just this morning. While I shouldn’t have to fight for my own, or others', right to live, I will do everything I can to make sure my community never has to know the pain so many have had to face.”
Organizers said that the event will honor the victims of Columbine with a reading of their names. In addition to Bhalla, speakers will include Platt, Councilwoman Emily Jabbour, and Hoboken students and educators.
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“If we fight back against the lobbyists and legislators keeping us from enacting effective gun control measures, we can prevent a tragedy like Columbine from happening to our community,” Bhalla said. “The right to life is the first unalienable right Thomas Jefferson declared for our country, and I am so proud of our young students for leading the charge on this important issue.”
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