This week, President Trump fired off a tweet voicing support for arming teachers in the classroom with guns, and in the process launched a new viral movement in social media.
According to BuzzFeed, teachers Brittany Wheaton of Utah, and Olivia Bertels of Kansas (both 27) connected on Instagram and came up with an idea to push back against the burgeoning plan to arm school teachers as a means to defend students against mass shooters. Reaching out to teachers on social media, the pair asked them to voice what they’d rather be “armed with” instead of guns.
“Since teachers are the individuals in the classroom when it happens, I like to think we know what’s best for our students,” Wheaton said. “If you’re an educator, you know that [more guns] is not a solution to stopping the violence that’s happening in our schools. Knowing that, I decided to start the #armmewith movement, where ACTUAL teachers give their solutions to what’s happening,”
In no time, the hashtag spread like wildfire across Instagram.
During a time in history that is often disheartening, frustrating, and sometimes simply unbelievable, these children fighting back give me hope. While I am a teacher I promise to fight for my students and colleagues. Please #armmewith the things I need. pic.twitter.com/xqbAKsDZWY
— Jessica (@jessinpgh) February 23, 2018
I’m trained to teach, not to shoot. Instead of arming teachers with more gun, supply us with materials & resources we desperately need. From 1:1 devices to #2 pencils. From mental health care to healthy nutrition. #ArmMeWith #DeafEd pic.twitter.com/evR6ufuBw6
— Darren (@DarrenHause) February 23, 2018
Please. #ArmMeWith pic.twitter.com/soGXOv8clN
— Katie Austin (@austinkatie_) February 21, 2018
I AM A TEACHER. NOT A POLICE OFFICER, NOT A SOLIDER, NOT A BODY GUARD. I would risk my life to save my students but I would never keep a concealed gun in my classroom, nor use it EVER. #ArmMeWith TISSUE & PAPER TOWELS. that’s all, Please & Thank you.
— Bri (@Briiilea) February 23, 2018
#ArmMeWith a salary that allows for my $3000/month childcare bill which is on the low end of average in my area. Allow me a salary that empowers me to pay my peer and my children’s educators a dignified wage too.
— Elizabeth Castellana (@elizabethc29) February 23, 2018
#ARMMEWITH proactive legislation that will promote a safe place for me to teach my students to be kind and caring members of our society pic.twitter.com/Op6LcTBusT
— Priscila Fojan (@msfojan) February 23, 2018
#ArmMeWith smaller class sizes, not guns. #NotOneMore pic.twitter.com/h6NWFpHzAd
— Aimee D. (@akennedy731) February 23, 2018
Featured image via Twitter
