Four years ago, thousands of students filled the National Mall in what they called a "March For Our Lives" after the school shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, took the lives of 14 students and three staff members.
The group called for change, meaning more safety measures for students at school. On Saturday, they marched again, this time mourning the lives of 19 elementary school students and two of their teachers.
"I have three children and it is affecting them," said Leasa Fisher, a volunteer for March for Our Lives. "My little one was like, 'Am I safe in school? Do I need to get a bulletproof backpack?' I mean, these are things that a 13-year-old is thinking about, that shouldn't be thinking about that kind of stuff."
In the four years since the first March For Our Lives, little has changed surrounding gun laws in America as gun violence has intensified. So far this year, there have been 250 mass shootings in the United States according to the Gun Violence Archive.
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"We want meaningful federal action to prevent gun violence," said Kallie Funk, an organizer for March for Our Lives. "A couple of bills just passed in the house that restrict large ammunition sales – restrict the age limits, but we want those things to pass in the Senate."
On Saturday, there were several demonstrations planned across San Diego County to coincide with the March For Our Lives, including Wear Orange for National Gun Violence Awareness Month.
"Six months ago it was our family, tomorrow it can be yours," said Maria Gaspar-Casillas.
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Last Thanksgiving, 12-year-old Angel Gallegos was shot and killed by a stray bullet in his family’s backyard in San Diego's Skyline neighborhood.
"It just slows you back to the beginning where you drink so you can cry, you cry so you can sleep, and sleep so you can keep on living," Angel's aunt, Gaspar-Casillas, said through tears.
Angel’s family has yet to find who is responsible for firing the gunshot that took his life. Gaspar-Casillas wants to see change and awareness when it comes to gun laws and safety.
