WATCH: More than 800 marches were held across the world in support of American youth demanding for better gun control. Over 200 people gathered for the rally in Victoria. Isabelle Raghem reports.
“We want change, we want change,” cheered a crowd in Victoria Saturday.
The growing protests against U.S. school shootings were felt on Vancouver Island Saturday. A sister rally was held on the front lawn of the B.C. legislature where local youth stood in solidarity.
“We are the generation of fear, we’re are the generation of Columbine, we’re the generation of 9/11, we don’t want to be afraid anymore,” said Magritte Gordaneer, event co-organizer and Grade 12 student at Esquimalt High School.
“But we’re also the generation of change,” said schoolmate Lia Rozenbloom Holla. “And it’s coming soon.”
Nearly two hundred people rallied in Victoria holding up signs reading “books not bullets” and “arms are for hugging”.
For some Americans living in Canada, it’s a personal fight.
“I actually had a niece who was at Virginia Tech during the shooting, she was fine thank goodness but I’m kind of tired of calling down my family in the states asking are you okay?,” said Heidi Burch, a dual Canadian-U.S. citizen.
Speakers reminded the crowd of the importance of gun laws that may be taken for granted.
They also said students in Canada are not immune to the fear of school shootings.
“Earlier this year we had a lockdown in our school and the first thing that came to everyone’s minds who was in the room with no locking doors what if they have a gun,” said event co-organizer Holla.
Isabelle Raghem
