Florida students vow to hold lawmakers accountable on gun violence

Students who survived last week’s shooting at a Florida high school vowed Sunday to hold politicians who accept money from the National Rifle Association (NRA) accountable, and shared plans for a protest march next month. 

“My message for people in office is you’re either with us or against us. We are losing our lives while the adults are playing around,” Cameron Kasky, a student who survived the shooting, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“This isn’t about the GOP, this isn’t about the Democrats, this is about us creating a badge of shame for any politicians accepting money from the NRA and using us as collateral,” he added. 

{mosads}Nikolas Cruz, 19, faces 17 counts of premeditated murder after he allegedly opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Wednesday, killing 17 and wounding several others.

In the days since the attack, students and school officials have called for action to curb gun violence.

Students said Sunday they’re organizing an event called “March for Our Lives,” scheduled to be held March 24. There are also nationwide walkouts being organized on March 14 and April 20.

Kasky said that since some argue it isn’t right to talk about gun laws in the aftermath of the shooting, that will be at the forefront during the event next month. Students across the country are invited to march.

Emma Gonzalez, who on Saturday gave an impassioned public plea for new gun restrictions, expressed confidence on Sunday that students would ultimately be able to effect change. 

“We’re going to be facing this with trepidation and determination and we have an incredible support system around us and we are going to be the difference,” she said.