At a rally in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a brave 17-year-old high school student from Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Ava Martinez, delivered a powerful address aimed at U.S. lawmakers, urging them to reconsider gun control laws in the wake of a tragic mass shooting at her school.
“Every single person up here today should be home grieving,” Ava began, highlighting the heartbreak that has befallen many families. “But instead, we are standing together because if our government and President can only send thoughts and prayers, it’s time for us, the victims, to be the change we need.”
Ava’s speech emphasized the alarming ease of acquiring firearms, particularly the types that have been used in numerous mass shootings. “It’s baffling that making plans with friends can be harder than purchasing an automatic weapon,” she stated. In Florida, gun buyers face no requirement for a permit, license, or registration—an outrageous situation.
She pointed out that mass shootings are predominantly an American issue, unlike other nations with stricter gun laws. “When we choose to ‘do nothing,’ people keep dying,” Ava asserted, calling for immediate action. “We will be the kids you read about in textbooks—not as another statistic of mass shootings, but as the generation that stopped them.”
Ava addressed the argument that the community should have reported their suspicions about the shooter. “We did report him, repeatedly. Since middle school, it was evident to those who knew him that he could be dangerous,” she explained. She stressed that this is not solely a mental health issue—“he wouldn’t have inflicted that much harm with a knife.”
Regarding President Trump’s hollow apologies and superficial gestures, Ava was unequivocal. “If the President wants to come tell me how tragic this is while doing nothing, I will ask him how much money he’s accepted from the NRA.” She was aware of the answer: nearly thirty million dollars.
Ava concluded her speech with a fervent call to action, stating, “The elected officials who are supposed to represent us are deceiving us. We, the youth, are the only ones who seem to notice, and we are here to call BS.” She challenged the pervasive narratives surrounding gun control, asserting, “They say stricter gun laws don’t reduce violence. We call BS. They claim a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun. We call BS. They argue that laws couldn’t have prevented the tragic events we’ve witnessed. We call BS. And they say we are too young to understand how government works? We call BS.”
Her message resonated deeply across social media, as countless people shared her impassioned speech. Ava Martinez has emerged as a voice for a new generation—a generation that refuses to stand by while innocent lives are lost. Though it is tragic that this change had to be spurred by another senseless massacre, Ava embodies hope. She ended her impactful address with an urgent plea: “If you agree with us, register to vote. Reach out to your local representatives. Make your voice heard.”
This article was originally published on Feb. 18, 2018.
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Summary:
Ava Martinez, a high school student and survivor of a tragic mass shooting, passionately addressed lawmakers at a Florida rally, calling for urgent gun control reforms. She challenged the narratives surrounding gun violence and highlighted the stark contrast in gun laws between the U.S. and other countries. Ava’s speech resonated nationwide, urging her peers to take action and make their voices heard.