‘Thoughts and prayers don’t do anything.’ Gun control supporters march in Manatee
About 50 people from Manatee, Sarasota and Hillsborough counties gathered in the rain to show solidarity with March for Our Lives protests across the country.
Thirty minutes before protesters were supposed to gather at Riverwalk Splash Park, the area was hit by a sudden downpour Saturday morning. Despite the weather, Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida organizer Traci Lipton said the march would march on.
Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida led the group from Rossi Park to the steps of the old Manatee County Courthouse. People held up signs and chanted “Racist, sexist, anti-gay: Ron DeSantis go away” and “When children’s lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up; fight back!”
The tragedy of the Uvalde school shooting was heavy on many minds.
Along the route, the Bradenton Herald spoke with protesters who shared their sentiments on gun violence in the United States and locally.
“We have weapons of war that are being used to make war on elementary children,” said the Rev. James Golden, Manatee County School Board Chair. “Certainly, you must see the wrong in that.”
“Nobody is taking away all guns because you can’t do that,” Jan Schneider said. “However, be sensible about it. Children are getting killed in schools, people in churches, and people in malls. It’s horrible.”
Schneider plans to run against Congressman Vern Buchanan in the fall.
“I don’t plan on having kids and this solidifies it. I don’t want to bring a child into this country to live this kind of life,” said Taylor King, 27, of Bradenton. “ It just doesn’t seem fair.”
She said the lack of gun reform and common sense laws in the U.S. is terrifying to her.
King made a sign for the rally: “Thoughts and prayers don’t do anything.”
She said it’s going to take a lot of work to change the minds of politicians in Florida, so showing up to rallies and voting during elections are the most important things she can do.
“And being around other people who feel the same way gives me hope,” King said.
At the march, King met Mckenna White. Both of them came to the protest alone and walked side-by-side to the courthouse. They are local woman who both have a passion for change.
“I was 12 years old when Sandy Hook happened. That was my 9/11. That was my landmark moment. Then it happened in Parkland, and then it happened in Uvalde,” said White, 22, of Bradenton. “I wonder in the 15 years why things haven’t changed.”
