The "March For Our Lives" will take place on Saturday, March 24, with a national march in Washington, D.C., as well as local events in Montpelier and other Vermont locations.
What's happening on Saturday
The lays out the genesis and goals of their movement. An excerpt explains:
"March for Our Lives is created by, inspired by, and led by students across the country who will no longer risk their lives waiting for someone else to take action to stop the epidemic of mass school shootings that has become all too familiar."
A national march will take place , but there are related events planned throughout the country.
One of those locations is . As of midday Friday, about 1,700 people have indicated , which will take place on the Statehouse lawn beginning at noon.
VPR reporter Liam Elder-Connors will be covering the Montpelier event on Saturday. Follow him on Twitter,
Lead organizer Madison Knoop says there will be a number of youth speakers at Saturday's event, and that she wants to rally to empower young people to participate in government.
"There are so many ways for us to be heard, like just through voting and writing your representative and calling them and showing them your support of what they're doing and getting involved in different groups, you know, like gun reform groups," Knoop said.
The national hashtag for Saturday is #MarchForOurLives, but Knoop also noted that the hashtag that will be used in conjunction with state's event is #MarchForOurLivesVT
Montpelier Police with parking information and safety tips for those planning to be in the city on Saturday.
Besides the capital, there are also March For Our Lives events planned on Saturday in other locations around the state:
- : The Middlebury Green, at noon
- : Main Street Park, at noon
- Factory Point Town Green, at 10 a.m.
- A "vigil" at Four Corners, at 12:30 p.m.
- Putney Taven Common Lawn, at 10 a.m.
- Do you know of an event not listed here happening in your community? Email [email protected]
In addition to events within the state, some Vermont students are heading to the national March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C.
More from VPR 鈥� [March 23]
Vermont students join the conversation about guns
Over the past few weeks, Vermont students have taken part in discussions and demonstrations regarding gun legislation.
In the week following , that left 17 people dead, some Rutland students began organizing the March For Our Lives event that will now be taking place in downtown Rutland this weekend.
More From VPR 鈥� [Feb. 23]
Young people in support of gun rights have also organized. At the University of Vermont, members of the college community held a gun rights rally at the Ira Allen Chapel on March 8. That event in turn sparked a counter-rally that same evening on campus, in front of the Bailey/Howe Library.
More from VPR 鈥� [March 9]
Last week 鈥� on March 14 鈥� , leaving classes to demonstrate against gun violence. In Vermont on that day, , but students at a few schools across the state did still participate in walkout protests.
Students gathering outside Burlington high school this morning for the walkout
— Liam Elder-Connors (@lseconnors)
More from VPR 鈥� [March 14]
And just a few days ago, a public hearing was held at the Statehouse where some Vermont students in support of gun control legislation shared their thoughts and experiences with House and Senate lawmakers.
More from VPR 鈥� [March 21]
Gun legislation has been a dominant conversation in Montpelier in recent weeks. Gov. Phil Scott has expressed in the state.
The Vermont Senate has passed an amendment (however, transactions within an immediate family are exempt) and also .
The Vermont House is spending the day before March For Our Lives
Vermont House has started debate over gun control bill that raises age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21, bans bumpstocks, requires universal background checks, and includes restrictions on magazine capacity.
— Bob Kinzel (@VPRKinzel)
Listen on the VPR stream !
House votes 85 to 61 not to delay vote on this gun bill - motion made to have separate votes on each provision of the bill - debate could go on for awhile - supporters and opponents pack House chamber today for the debate
— Bob Kinzel (@VPRKinzel)
House approaching 5 hour mark in gun debate. Taking up different provisions separately - has just given its approval to ban on bumpstocks by a vote of 119-25. Background checks, raising the age to 21 to purchase a gun and a ban on high capacity magazines still to come
— Bob Kinzel (@VPRKinzel)
Update 2:57 p.m. This post was updated to include a tweet from Bob Kinzel noting the Vermont House approved a ban on bump stocks during their debate Friday.
Update 5:52 p.m.
Update 3/24/2018 9:17 a.m. Full story available here:
