The aftermath of the devastating school shooting at Florida State University has left the Tallahassee community reeling in shock and grief. The city has come together to hold vigils, memorial services, and rallies to honor the victims and support the survivors. Students Demand Action hosted a community vigil on Friday, bringing together students, faculty, and community members to share their emotions, demands, and calls for change.
- More than 200 people attended the vigil, leaving a sea of flowers, candles, balloons, and notes of condolence.
- The event was a testament to the strength and resilience of the Tallahassee community, which is coming together to support one another in this time of tragedy.
Anger and a Call for Change
The organizers of the vigil emphasized that they are angry and want change. They are calling on lawmakers to reconsider their stance on a current gun law bill that would reduce the gun buying age from 21 to 18. This bill is set to face a Senate vote, and the students are demanding that legislative leaders take immediate action.
“It’s about the safety of our students, it’s not just about politics, these are lives at stake and that’s very important to consider,” said Damaya Ollivierre, a FAMU student and Vice President of her Students Demand Action chapter.
A Community Comes Together
The vigil was a time for the community to come together, share their emotions, and find comfort in each other’s company. Students who were on campus at the time of the event are now coming to terms with the tragedy, and many are finding solace in the outpouring of support.
- FSU Junior, Andres Perez, shared his experience of immediately contacting his loved ones and friends to let them know he was safe.
- William Godfrey, also a Junior at FSU, described the mixed emotions he felt, saying, “Mixed emotions, definitely like first thing I thought, like it happened, it’s real.”
Advocating for Gun Control
The students are not just mourning the loss of life; they are also advocating for gun control legislation. They are demanding that lawmakers take action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
- The Students Demand Action group is pushing for stricter gun control laws, including a ban on semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines.
- The group is also calling for increased funding for mental health services and school safety measures.
A Message from the Community
As the community continues to come to terms with the tragedy, they are finding ways to express their grief and demand change. The students are organizing more rallies and events to raise awareness about gun control and school safety.
| Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Rally for Gun Control | TBD | Tallahassee |
| Students Demand Action Meeting | TBD | Tallahassee |
A Call to Action
The community is calling on lawmakers to take immediate action to address the issue of gun violence. The students are demanding that legislative leaders reconsider their stance on the current gun law bill and take steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future. “We just have to put an end to gun violence. I don’t want anybody to have to go through what happened [Thursday],” said Bonnie Snyder, a Tallahassee native and Moms Demand Change member. The community is coming together to demand change and ensure that the victims of the school shooting are not forgotten. The students are organizing more events and rallies to raise awareness about gun control and school safety, and the community is standing in solidarity with the students in their demands for change. In the words of Damaya Ollivierre, “It’s about the safety of our students, it’s not just about politics, these are lives at stake and that’s very important to consider.”
The Way Forward
The students are not giving up in their demands for change. They are continuing to organize and push for stricter gun control laws, increased funding for mental health services, and school safety measures. The community is standing in solidarity with the students, and together, they are working towards a future where such tragedies are prevented.
