As Trump golfs, students staged ‘lie in’ at White House gates to protest inaction on gun control

In the wake of the Florida school shooting carried out by 19-year-old gunman Nikolas Cruz, teens are taking control of the gun control debate by setting the stage for mass protests and walkouts. This Monday as President Trump golfed in Florida — just miles from where 17 people were gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — a group of teenagers stated a “lie in” at the gates of the White House to protest of politicians’ lack of action on gun control.

Lying on their backs on the sidewalk in front of the White House gates, dozens of students held American flags and signs that read, “Am I next?”

At one point during the protest, the students turned toward the White House and chanted, “Hey, hey NRA, how many kids did you kill today!” Also chanting, “We call bullsh*t! We call bullsh*t!” according to the New York Daily News.

“We’re protesting against people who are shooting at schools and killing innocent kids with guns that should be illegal,” a 10-year-old boy said according to the Daily News.

The protest was organized by Teens for Gun Reform, an organization assembled after the Florida shooting last Wednesday. The protest in front of the White House gates began this afternoon on President’s Day.

“By doing this, we will make a statement on the atrocities which have been committed due to the lack of gun control, and send a powerful message to our government that they must take action now,” the group wrote in a statement.

The lie in comes as students stage protests and walkouts across the country, including Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where thousands of students, parents, and teachers rallied on Saturday.

Featured image via Victoria Sanchez (Twitter) 

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.

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