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Home • News

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally
DAVID GANNON/Getty Images
By Donna Owens · Updated October 24, 2020

Under bright and sunny skies, students, parents, teachers and allies from across the country marched, rallied and chanted in the nation’s capital at today’s March to Save Our Lives.

Young people of color, from tots to high school to HBCU students, were well represented in the fight to combat gun violence in schools and communities. The rally follows fatal mass school shootings around the country, most recently in Florida and Maryland.

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Participants on Saturday in D.C. included youth affiliates from the NAACP, National Urban League and Women’s March. Busloads of young people traveled from cities like Baltimore, Chicago, New York, Atlanta and beyond. Sibling marches were held nationwide.

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus walked with youth contingencies from their districts; the DNC sent its top brass; and organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women handed out water and snacks.

In the words of songstress Andra Day, whose performance (backed by the Cardinal Shehan School youth choir from Baltimore) stirred the massive crowd, “I’ll rise up.”

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March For Our Lives

Youth Christopher Underwood speaks onstage at March For Our Lives on March 24, 2018 in Washington, DC

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally

Paul Morigi/Getty Images

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A teen prepares for the march, organized by students to combat gun violece in schools across America.

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally
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Protesters young and old look on during the March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally

Paul Morigi/Getty Images

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One of thousands who carried signs to protest gun violence in American schools and neighborhoods, from Parkland, Florida to Chicago, Illinois.
 

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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Teens take a moment to pose for a photo before marching.

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally
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People hold up signs during the March For Our Lives anti-gun rally.

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally

DAVID GANNON/Getty Images

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Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally
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Teens take a moment to pose for a photo before marching.

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally
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Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally
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Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students gather with other students on stage during the March for Our Lives Rally. 

Black Youth Made Their Presence Felt At The 'March For Our Lives' Rally

NICHOLAS KAMM/Getty Images