Berliavsky, Yehoshua organize “Walk For Parkland” in Aventura
After the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, students are answering the call to action nationwide. Krop students Ilana Berliavsky and Hilly Yehoshua took it upon themselves to do so in our backyards, organizing a “Walk For Parkland,” in conjunction with the Krop PTSA and the City of Aventura.
On Mar. 11, over 200 people met at the Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library to commemorate the 17 lives lost at MSD and to protest for gun control. With the slogan, “Don’t just pray, act,” Berliavsky, Yehoshua, and other student organizers led a march along the Don Soffer Exercise Trail in Aventura.
Participants gathered on the steps of the library at 9 a.m. to hear from guest speakers, including MSD history teacher Greg Pitman, and other survivors of the tragic event. Shirts, bracelets and posters were sold in tents to raise money for the affected families, as well.
“Getting to hear the stories of kids who were at MSD during the shooting really brought this issue home to our city and demonstrated how much we really do need change,” Berliavsky said. “Although it was a small event, I believe that the walk brought more attention to the #NeverAgain movement and brought even more active supporters.”
At 10 a.m., Aventura residents, Krop students and MSD survivors took to the three-mile trail to walk in solidarity with supporters of gun control to vouch for tougher legislation and school safety.
“It was an incredible scene,” senior Daniel Nash said, who led the group of protesters across the track. “Seeing the mass of people from every walk of life come together under one cause was truly remarkable.”
Aventura Mayor Enid Weisman expressed her sentiments on Facebook, later that day.
“So proud to stand with Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Michael Krop High School students in their quest for reasonable gun reform,” Weisman wrote. “The organization, speeches and passion came from our kids. They are sending a message [of] ‘never again.’”
This is one of the many events taking place to honor the 17 lost and to ensure the #NeverAgain movement remains strong. Stay tuned for more updates on what Krop students have planned and what you can do to get involved in the fight for gun control.