3-Year Anniversary of Parkland

Yesterday marked the 3-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD) in Parkland, Florida. Though it has been three years since MSD lost 14 children and three staff members, the community is still reckoning with the loss. Despite this sad milestone, MSD students and parents are continuing their efforts to repair the pieces of their community that have been lost. 

In response to the shooting, many MSD students came together to form what would later be called the March for Our Lives (MFOL) movement, resulting in one of the largest protests in American history. Though the most prolific efforts that resulted from the shooting at MSD were that of MFOL members, parents and other students have done their part in helping their school and community heal and move forward.

The efforts started by the MSD students and parents in response to the shooting have led to changes in gun control laws and attitudes. President Biden also released a statement on the day of the anniversary, calling on Congress to strengthen national guns laws. 

To learn more about the kids of the MFOL movement and how they turned this tragic day into one of change, check out this year’s Go Big Read book, Parkland: Birth of a Movement!

Olivia Poches

Graduate Student Assistant, Go Big Read Office