March For Our Lives On Ocean City Boardwalk Saturday

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Families, students, and concerned citizens of the region will converge on the Ocean City Boardwalk on Saturday for a sister march of the “March For Our Lives” event taking place in Washington, D.C. The local march begins at 11 a.m. at 5th and Boardwalk.

Event spokeswoman Donna Challender and her husband Bob weren’t sure exactly how many people to expect for the march, but the Women’s March in Ocean City drew more than 600 people. They’re hoping for at least 100 students.

The non-partisan march is calling for a gun control bill targeted at ending school shootings. Marches are planned for most major cities, similar to how the Women's March was set up, and is spearheaded by five Florida students survived the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day. Seventeen people were killed in that shooting.

More than 200 students at Ocean City High School participated in the National Walkout Day event on March 14. This walkout was coordinated by 17-year-old student Emily McGrath. The Challenders met her at a recent meet-and-greet event with Democratic candidates for the Second Congressional District seat, and said they were impressed.

“We believe in the cause,” Donna Challender said. “We need better gun sense laws. Enough is enough with the killing in schools and everywhere else. We have 15 grandkids and 10 kids, and we couldn’t imagine this happening to a loved one. We need to do something to stop the violence.”

They are expecting to have some speakers at the event, including up to three candidates for the Congressional seat. Moms Demand Action, of which Donna Challender is a member, will have a table at the event, and will be handing out information.

"School safety is not a political issue. There cannot be two sides to doing everything in our power to ensure the lives and futures of children who are at risk of dying when they should be learning, playing, and growing," national march's website states. "The mission and focus of March For Our Lives is to demand that a comprehensive and effective bill be immediately brought before Congress to address these gun issues."

Photo: Parkland, Florida - Feb. 17: Juliana Cruz joins with others as they protest against guns on February 17, 2018 in Parkland, Florida. Earlier this week former student Nikolas Cruz opened fire with a AR-15 rifle at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School killing 17 people. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)