Emma Gonzalez Is Responsible for the Loudest Silence in the History of US Social Protest

[babylonsister]

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/03/emma-gonzalez-is-responsible-for-the-loudest-silence-in-the-history-of-us-social-protest/

Emma Gonzalez Is Responsible for the Loudest Silence in the History of US Social Protest
6 minutes and about 20 seconds.

Ari Berman
Mar. 24, 2018 4:05 PM


Emma Gonzalez speaks at the "March for Our Lives" rally in support of gun control in Washington, DC, March 24, 2018.Alex Brandon/AP

“Six minutes and about 20 seconds. In a little over six minutes, 17 of our friends were taken from us.” That’s how Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and one of the organizers of the March for Our Lives, began her remarkable speech on Saturday afternoon at the rally in Washington, DC.

After reading the names of her classmates who were killed in the mass shooting, Gonzalez stood at the podium in silence for six minutes, fighting back tears. It was an incredible, chilling moment. All of the major cable networks carried it live. “Loudest silence in the history of US social protest,” my colleague David Corn tweeted.

“Never again,” many in the crowd of 500,000 chanted in response. After her timer went off, Gonzalez said, “since the time when I came out here, it has been six minutes and twenty seconds. The shooter has ceased shooting and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape, and walk free for an hour before arrest,” she said. “Fight for your lives before it’s someone else’s job.” And then she left the stage.

Gonzalez speech capped a remarkable day of speeches by students who spoke out about the epidemic of gun violence in the US. They shared their haunting stories and called on Congress to take action to stop the killing. “To those people that tell us that teenagers can’t do anything, I say that we were the only people that could have made this movement possible,” said Gonzalez’s MSD classmate Alex Wind, a junior. “To all of the politicians who have taken money from the NRA, you have chosen death.”

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https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/03/emma-gonzalez-is-responsible-for-the-loudest-silence-in-the-history-of-us-social-protest/

[democratisphere]

1. Amazing powerful woman.

[Achilleaze]

2. .

[mshasta]

3. I was crying, just felt so much pain

Spiritual pain ripping me inside out

[Sophia4]

18. I had tears in my eyes watching her speech.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

4. can't watch, barely can read about it

Thanks for posting this. It's hard enough to read the reports. I keep imagining my kids in those situations (even though both are grown). Think about the circle of survivors for each victim.
We have to fix this!

[FirstLight]

5. She's my hero!

ALL these kids and the people supporting them and the survivors and families

[IluvPitties]

6. Good job, Emma!

[brettdale]

7. hats off to her

Simply amazing.

[bdamomma]

8. Her image and her

powerful stance will never be forgotten.

[HipChick]

9. Kudo's to this young lady..

[TomSlick]

10. I keep using the same word. It was devastating.

The NRA beholden politicians should be afraid of Emma.

[LiberalFighter]

21. I hope so. Let them run and pee in their pants.

[mountain grammy]

11. Thank goodness for these kids..

they just might save our sorry asses.

[SunSeeker]

12. K & R

[juxtaposed]

13. they give me hope

[smirkymonkey]

14. Emma, you are an amazing human being.

I hope you run for office someday.

[Sophiegirl]

15. That was amazing!!

I could literally feel her pain during those very long minutes.

[Generic Brad]

16. That was the bravest protest action I have seen in my life

Silence speaks volumes!!!

My heart goes out to Emma Gonzales and her classmates for what they have had to endure. It is our responsibility to make sure that we do not let the youth of this country down any more.

[Akacia]

17. So sad but powerful!

Shortly after Sandy Hook we had a lock-down drill at the school I work at and I looked in the eyes of the children I work with and just wept. And for it to continue happening.... kids should never have to worry about being killed at school. So proud of all of the marchers today!

[lostnfound]

19. Bless her big heart, her big courage. So meaningful. Makes the point.

It wasn’t over in a flash, that shooting. They lived in terror as gunshots were killing or wounding their fellow students and teachers. It seemed like the longest time, to wait while she stood crying in silence.
Thank you for having the bravery to communicate in that’s way to us all, a glimpse of what you all endured.

[Upthevibe]

20. Thank you, Emma...

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

22. One of the most amazing things ever.

I am in complete awe of that young woman.

[drray23]

23. This picture will come to symbolize the movement

In the history books decades from now. We just watched history being made. The face of the young woman who brought down the nra. I have no doubt this will happen. The nra is going to lose his grip on policy makers.

[Leghorn21]

24. Xxxooo, cause I nothing left to say about this beautiful young woman; I stand in awe of her

strength, courage, heart, and character, now and for all time.

RESPECT

[XRubicon]

25. Powerful.

[hibbing]

26. Wow, fierce n/t

[Docreed2003]

27. Beautiful...powerful...and courageous!!

[Phoenix61]

28. Damn!

She held a space open for all the pain that happened in those six minutes and twenty seconds. What an amazing young woman.

[secondwind]

29. God bless this young woman!

[gibraltar72]

30. Few people know the power of silence.

I used it in sales but jesus for a kid to get it amazing.

[GeorgeGist]

31. Indisputable.

But $1.05 Rubio will try.