PARKLAND, FLA. (WSVN) - Solidarity March For Our Lives rallies took place all across South Florida, Saturday morning.
A Parkland city official estimated nearly 20,000 people attended the rally at Pine Trails Park.
Rally organizers in Parkland gathered at Pine Trails Park, where their rally began at 10 a.m. Students and supporters spoke to the thousands that were present.
“Today, I’m asking all of you to join our committee to make a change,” said a student organizer. “With this movement, we will achieve record-breaking turnout – not just in presidential elections, not just in midterm elections but in all elections.”
There were no politicians at this event. It was about the students, survivors and grieving families who came together as one to remember their loved ones.
Among those who addressed the crowd was Tony Montalto, the father of shooting victim Gina Montalto.
“Gina was a smart kid with a kind heart,” he said. “We felt she was destined to change the world. And through this movement, she may do just that.”
Thousands marched from the park to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School while chanting. They only went silent when they passed by the memorial for the 17 lives lost Feb. 14.
Pam Kamenky is one of many present to remember the victims. “I think it is important. And I’m glad they did it,” she said. “It makes a difference, and it shows we all care.”
“Don’t forget that the right to live is over any right,” said another student speaker. “What happened on Valentine’s Day should never happen again.”
Organizers also read the names of the lives lost.
Community members marched alongside students and parents. “This has to stop, and it’s starting now with our kids who are changing the laws of this country,” said participant Nancy Konter Brodsky.
Stoneman Douglas students who organized the event passed out contracts for parents to promise to put children’s safety before gun violence.
“I want to support,” said Parkland resident and father Marco Norguiera, who became emotional. “These kids need a lot of support.”
Weston was the first city with an event that began around 9 a.m. Supporters started at the event stage at Weston Regional Park.
In Miami Beach, students, supporters and even local leaders attended the march at Miami Beach Senior High School, which began at 10 a.m.
More than 2,000 of those people marched to Collins Park because for them, it was a way to do something and be heard.
“We send our children to school thinking they’ll be safe and now we have to even question that,” said Miami Beach resident Lisa Burgoyne.
“I think it’s great that we have kids that are going beyond the 24-hour news cycle,” said City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. “I think they’ve already had some success at the state level. They gotta go to the federal level, and certainly, we’re here to support them at the local level.”
Protesters in Palm Beach took advantage to their proximity to President Donald Trump, who flew to his Mar-a-Lago resort this weekend.
“President Trump needs to listen to this. If he’s the president for the people, he needs to do this for their children and do the right thing,” said a demonstrator.
At one point, Second Amendment counterprotesters confronted the crowds.
“Every handgun, every revolver is a semi-automatic gun,” said a counterprotester, “so once you’ve banned one, you’ve banned everything.”
The weather played a factor for some who marched on Saturday afternoon. Coral Springs Fire Rescue said 12 people were treated for medical issues during the rallies.
The Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade, who has been a staunch supporter of the students’ movement for gun control, showed support on Instagram.
Hundreds of students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas came to Washington, D.C. to be a part of their March For Our Lives rally.
Stoneman Douglas student and activist Emma Gonzalez was alongside supporters in D.C. and commented on the midterm elections.
“This is one of the biggest Rock the Vote-type events ever,” said Gonzalez.
“Today is only the beginning of this life-long journey and marathon we have in front of us,” said student and activist David Hogg. “Are we going to persist? We have to.”
Students told 7News that their next steps are to register, educate and vote.
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