US teen explains why they are fighting for gun control

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As the gun control debate rages on in the US, students are not ready to silence their voices.

On Saturday (March 24) thousands of youngsters are holding gun control demonstrations called the “March for Our Lives” happening simultaneously in the nation’s capital and across the country.

When students walked out of schools across the nation last week, they had no idea how big their movement would become.

“What we decided to do because we’re in close proximity … We decided we can go to DC and take advantage of the location,” student organizer Michael Solomon told CGTN Digital. “We had a large rally and it was bigger than any of us expected.”

Solomon and other high school students from Montgomery County, Maryland stormed the US capital calling for tougher gun control.

Their organization MoCo Students for Gun Control spearheaded the march from Maryland to Capitol Hill.

Solomon said they used social media to mobilize their group, inviting other area students to join them.

Student organizers from MoCo Students For Gun Control. / Instagram/@moco4guncontrol

Over 2,000 students joined in the demonstration as part of the National Walkout which took place all across the nation on March 14.

Now many adults are taking up the fight with the teens helping organize a separate rally this weekend. Solomon and his peers are not organizing this event but have been invited to be on stage for the rally.

Gun violence has plagued the US from elementary school campuses to packed movie theaters leaving thousands dead.

But with the right of gun ownership enshrined in the nation’s Constitution, regulations remain a complicated issue riddled with several laws and Supreme Court rulings.

Students heading to the US capital for National Walkout Day rally on March 14. / Instagram/@moco4guncontrol

The great debaters

Solomon is a 16-year-old sophomore student at Springbrook High School in Maryland whose empathetic plea to US lawmakers during the national walkout rally in Washington went viral.

“Do your jobs, give us concrete solutions, and for once, value our lives over your bank accounts, or we will vote you out,” he proclaimed while speaking to protesters gathered in Washington, DC last week. “I want everyone to know that all of us will join their ranks in the history books because we will remain persistent until there is change.”

Solomon told CGTN Digital that all Americans not just students are fed up with lawmakers not offering what he calls “common sense gun control.”

“A lot of people are sick and tired of the constant inaction of Congress,” he said. “Their time is almost up if they have just been sitting in their offices complacent not taking any initiative to help better protect our students, better protect our country as a whole.”

The outspoken teen is unsure of his future career ambitions but he did tell us a career as a lawyer, journalist or politician is among his options. The first generation American Ethiopian said that growing up debating was a family pastime.

“A lot of my relatives. We like to debate. It could be Ethiopian politics … It could be soccer,” Solomon said. “Debating is something I always saw growing up.”

Until he figures out his career aspirations, Solomon and the rest of the students will be busy making sure their message does not lose its voice.

Students from MoCo Students For Gun Control planning‍ for the March 14 National Walkout Rally. / Instagram/@moco4guncontrol

Act in accordance

Lawmakers have asked the students for edits and/or suggestions on impending legislation.

Solomon said regardless the teens are organizing voter registration drives equipping their peers with the tools necessary to make a change.

“While protest and walkouts are effective the most tangible way for any country. For any body of people to get what they want through their government is by voting,” Solomon told CGTN Digital. “Because if you change the people who are making the decisions you will get better decisions.”