People young and old rallied across the tri-state and the nation on Saturday in a “March For Our Lives” to stop gun violence and call for new gun control laws. Ray Villeda reports from New York City and Adam Kuperstein reports from Washington, D.C.
What to Know
March For Our Lives rallies, organized by students and survivors of gun violence, took place March 24 in more than 800 cities worldwide
New York City's rally kicked off near Central Park and moved down to Midtown
The rallies call for gun safety legislation in hopes of preventing mass shootings
With calls for action and activism, tens of thousands of people marched near Central Park on Saturday to demand an end to gun violence and mass shootings in schools.
More than 150,000 people flooded the streets as part of the "March For Our Lives," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a tweet. The march coincided with the largest, in Washington, D.C., which hoped to draw half a million people.
Others took place in New Jersey and Connecticut and in more than 800 cities worldwide.
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Rocio Klotz, age 6, joins thousands of people, many of them students, as they march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York City.
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A protester against gun violence holds a picture of shooting victim Chase Kowalski (7) as thousands of people march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York, United States. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York City. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Rocio Klotz, age 6, joins thousands of people, many of them students, as they march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York City. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Young protestors attend the March For Our Lives in Manhattan, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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People listen to speakers from outside the rally perimeter in Central Park during the March For Our Lives, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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A young protester holds up a sign during the March For Our Lives in Manhattan, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Protesters attend the March For Our Lives just north of Columbus Circle, March 24, 2018 in New York City. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, teachers and parents are gathering in Washington, New York City and other cities across the country for an anti-gun violence rally organized by survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead. More than 800 related events are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence.
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Protestors attend the March For Our Lives just north of Columbus Circle, March 24, 2018 in New York City.
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Supporters of President Donald Trump (wearing hats) counter-protest during the March For Our Lives, March 24, 2018 in New York City.
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Thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York City.
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The rally down Sixth Avenue as seen from above Central Park.
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Mayor de Blasio estimated 150,000 people took part in the march in New York City.
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Marchers near Rockefeller Center.
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A child marches on Sixth Avenue.
Mayoral Photo Office
Mayor de Blasio tweeted out this photo of the march.
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Marchers walk down Central Park West, near Trump International Hotel.
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A girl holds a sign saying, "I am the future."
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Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York.
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Marchers hold since with slogans like, "No more silence, end gun violence" and "Never again."
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The march went along Central Park West and into Midtown.
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Signs could be seen for blocks.
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Many of the signs took aim at the National Rifle Association.
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Marchers pose for a photo near Central Park.
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Marchers head down Central Park West on their way to Columbus Circle.
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A view of the crowd along Central Park West.
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There were many students and children in attendance.
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Victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting during a speech at the march.
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A crowd of marchers in Midtown.
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A line of marchers outside the American Museum of Natural History.
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Homemade signs abounded at the march.
As the rally began in Central Park, students urged those attending to get involved, saying thoughts and prayers aren't enough.
"There was so much more that could have been done to prevent this," said Meghan Bonner, who shared her story of surviving the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, which killed 17 people including one of her friends. "I want to see change."
"I don't want to feel unsafe in school anymore," she told the crowd.
About 150,000 people marched in near Central Park and in Midtown on Saturday to demand stricter gun control.
Sam Hendler, another Marjory Stoneman Douglas student, read the names of the victims of the massacre and led a moment of silence.
Parents and students were united with one theme as they moved down Sixth Avenue, chanting things like "NRA go away" and "books, not bullets."
"We don't want guns in our schools, we want our children to be safe," Joele Lebenson, of Scarsdale, said.
"I'm scared to go to school every day," Talia Lebenson added. "I'm scared that a shooter will come into our school."
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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 24: Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in New York, United States. More than 800 March for Our Lives events, organized by survivors of the Parkland, Florida school shooting on February 14 that left 17 dead, are taking place around the world to call for legislative action to address school safety and gun violence. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
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Sir Paul McCartney joins thousands of people, many of them students, march against gun violence in Manhattan during the March for Our Lives rally.
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The former Beatle told CNN: "One of my best friends was killed in gun violence right around here, so it's important to me."
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John Lennon, McCartney's former bandmate, was shot to death outside his Manhattan apartment building in 1980.
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The March For Our Lives went down Central Park West, less than a block from where Lennon was shot.
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The march in New York was one of 800 planned in cities worldwide, with the largest in Washington, D.C.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the march showed a spirit and activism from the youth that would triumph over the NRA.
"What this generation is saying is we saw Florida, we understand the facts, and it makes no sense, " Cuomo said. "They're saying: If you won't lead, we will lead."
Cuomo directed the World Trade Center to be lit up in orange Saturday night in honor of the march.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered the 408-foot spire of One World Trade Center to be lit orange on Saturday night to honor the March For Our Lives rally and its push for gun reform. “Today is the day we unite to say the NRA is not going to win,” Cuomo said in a press release.
Sen. Chuck Schumer also cheered on the crowd and gave high-fives to those in attendance.
The march also drew counterprotesters. Dozens of people opposed to gun control gathered at Columbus Circle, holding signs that said "Sheep" and "Keep America Armed."
Students have emerged as leaders in the gun control debate since the Feb. 14 shooting. Earlier this month, students led a national walkout that included school faculty and staff.
Saturday's national day of action calls for lawmakers to pass gun safety legislation.
Other rallies took place across the tri-state area, including in Morristown, Jersey City, Newark, Englewood and Hoboken in New Jersey and in Hartford and Enfield in Connecticut.
Gianna Serro, a senior at North Bergen High School in New Jersey, had traveled to the New York city protest with two classmates.
"We are the mass shooting generation, basically," Serro said. "Me being 18, spending 13 years in the school system, I've been raised with lock-down drills because you never know who's going to come in. I've never known any different. ... I believe it's important because we desperately need a change."
Brandi Powell, 19, there with two friends from New York University, said she had been inspired by the actions of the Parkland students.
"We believe we need to see the end of gun violence," she said. "We think that we should have a policy change to ban bump stocks and to ban assault weapons."
