"Vote for our lives"

     Yesterday, on the eve of the 19th anniversary of the Columbine HS shooting, I attended a most moving event....a vigil/rally/voter registration to remember victims of gun violence, especially school shootings. There were 20 students from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS in Parkland, Fl. in attendance.  Survivors from the Arapaho HS shooting (4 years ago), the Aurora theater shootings 6 years ago, as well as from Columbine were remembered. Not mentioned  but not forgotten was the Platte Canyon HS hostage crisis and school shooting in Conifer, CO which took place 12 years ago.  All of this has occurred in our city.
     There were 4 youth from Pittsburgh from the social justice movement, Youth Power Collective, speaking for those who die from gun deaths outside of school and from police brutality.
     These youth leaders are eloquent, composed and reasonable.  Activism has been thrust upon them by tragedy and they are taking up the mantle.  They plead for unity, peace, and being careful who you vote for!  Please understand just who it is you are voting for.
     The most moving speech, for me, was from a Columbine teacher who survived that day.  She still teaches in the same classroom.  They have active school shooter drills regularly now, and they occur when she is in the same room as she was 19 years ago. She is small, 5'2", and says that if she was armed, it would not be difficult for her to be disarmed by larger students.  Additionally, both Rachel Scott (victim), and  Dylan Klebold (shooter), were her students and she cared for them both.  Would she have been able to shoot Dylan? She doesn't know, but doesn't think it is reasonable to ask teachers to shoot their students.
     There were clergy present, representing all faiths....Judaism, Islam, all denominations of Christianity, and the Buddhist Monastery in nearby Morrison, CO.  The take-away from their talks was for peace, unity, and that we are family. Every person (and in my mind, every creature) has the right to be safe. I don't think that is asking too much.
     This event took place in Clement Park, near Columbine HS and the Columbine Memorial.  It was a gorgeous peaceful evening as the winds died down, and we looked across the lake at the sun setting behind the mountains while listening to the music of the band Fray.
     It has been 19 years.  Enough.  I hope this Parkland event is the tipping point and that these wonderful youth will become the leadership we so desperately need. 
     Do your research and vote according to your conscience.