Activists flocked to the Brooklyn Bridge on June 14 for the Brooklyn Bridge March and Rally to End Gun Violence, which was attended by hundreds of people. The march and rally called for an end to gun violence in the United States, citing the additional 74 school shootings that have occurred since the most heinous in recent memory—the Dec. 2012 slaying of 20 schoolchildren in Sandy Hook, CT.
Because of the violent nature of the event—throughout which gunman Adam Lanza killed 26 people (20 of whom were children between the ages of 6 and 7 years old)—the story quickly became a national story that was followed by the media for weeks and months on end.
With recent reports of there being an additional 74 school shootings since the Dec. 2012 Sandy Hook killings, however, it appears the violent crimes happening are actually under-reported by traditional media outlets.
According to CNN, a group called Everytown for Gun Safety (founded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg—who is a passionate and public advocate of gun control) the incidents included personal arguments, accidents and alleged gang activities and drug deals.
One of more recent, deadliest shootings took place last month at the University of California, in Santa Barbara. The shooter, Elliot Roger, went on a bloody rampage, stabbing his three roommates to death and continuing his bloody assault and shooting an additional four students. Richard Martinez, father of a 20-year old victim, participated in the Brooklyn Bridge March and Rally to End Gun Violence this June.
The New York Daily News reported that nearly 1,000 protesters set out to march on the Brooklyn Bridge on that June dat. Actors Adam Scott and Amanda Peet also participated in the march. “I think it’s long overdue to have more sensible gun laws in this country,” said Scott.
Gun violence is something that has affected tens of thousands of people across the nation. The idea of these protests is to bring awareness to the public of all the terrible gun violence in the country and to persuade the politicians who have not passed legislation on gun control to act now rather than later. These protests are also a powerful way for the families and friends of the tragic victims to join forces in the cause and to share stories while providing support through their mutual suffering.
