The survivors of a school shooting that took place in the United Kingdom 22 years ago have written an open letter to the survivors of the Florida school shooting, telling them that change is possible.
In the letter — addressed to the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — those who survived the attack in the U.K. and family members of the victims extended their sympathies to the Florida shooting survivors.
“We have watched and listened with tremendous admiration as you have spoken out for what you believe should happen now, a significant change of attitude towards the availability of guns in your country,” the letter said, according to BuzzFeed News.
The shooting in the U.K. happened 22 years ago Tuesday at the Dunblane Primary School in Scotland and killed 16 children and a teacher. It was the last school shooting in the U.K.
In the letter, those who survived said after the shooting happened, they vowed to do something about it.
“We persuaded British lawmakers not to be swayed by the vested interests of the gun lobby, we asked them to put public safety first and to heed what the majority of the British people wanted,” the letter said.
“Most politicians listened and acted. Laws were changed, handguns were banned and the level of gun violence in Britain is now one of the lowest in the world. There have been no more school shootings.”
Those who wrote the letter told the Florida shooting survivors that “change can happen.” They warned it won’t be easy but urged the survivors never to let anyone forget what happened at their school.
“We wish you more of that wisdom and strength for this toughest of tasks, one that will be so important in order to spare more of your fellow Americans from having to suffer the way you have,” the letter said.
“Wherever you march, whenever you protest, however you campaign for a more sensible approach to gun ownership we will be there with you in spirit.”
In the letter, the survivors of the U.K. shooting and the victims’ families offered total support for the “March for Our Lives” rally.
Students who survived the Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead have been demanding new gun laws to prevent future school shootings.
Students have planned a march later this month in Washington, D.C., and are calling for new measures to keep their schools safe.