MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ERUPTS IN DOWNTOWN TAMPA ON SATURDAY

"This is what democracy looks like”, was the chant from the thousands of students and other residents who showed up for the March For Our Lives rally in downtown Tampa Saturday

Thousands of students and like minded people showed up Saturday morning for the March For Our Lives demonstration, and they were pissed. Tampa's installment of the nationwide movement took place at Kiley Garden in downtown. Estimated at over 10,000, demonstrators marched and carried signs, chanting phrases like "This is what democracy looks like", and "The NRA has got to go". They were there to protest gun violence and recent inaction at both the national and state levels on gun control. They are motivated and angry following the recent shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas  High school in Parkland Florida.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn encourages student attendees to fight for what they believe. He was joined on stage with Congresswoman Cathy Castor, and Tampa City Council members Mike Suarez, Harry Cohen, and others.

Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn started the rally with an impassioned plea for the students to speak their mind and be heard, to not let the inaction in Washington continue, and to get ready to march.

March For Our Lives Tampa brought protest signs, speeches about safety in schools, and a one and a half mile march through South Tampa

Many of the speakers were students from several high schools, including Susana Matta Valdivies, a 17-year-old from Marjory Stoneman Douglas. They read speeches, sang songs of inspiration and protest, and emphasized that they are just getting started. 

Bella Cruz-O'Grady, a senior at Steinbrenner High School, read a poem emphasizing the need for change

Thousands of people filled Kiley Garden in downtown Tampa for the March For Our Lives Tampa rally

Parents brought their young children. While the march was planned mostly by high schoolers, it was attended by people of all ages.

The age of the participants was diverse but the message was the same. They think there are  too many politicians owned by the NRA, kids are more important than money and the fallacy that they are lazy and idle is wrong. They are coming after established and ineffective politicians. Many registered to vote at the tables set up at the event. According to the speakers, they are going to clean house one bought politician at a time.

The age of the protesters was diverse, but the message was unified: Never again and enough is enough.

A pro-life advocate is asked to leave by Tampa Police as she blocked the front railing next to the main stage at the rally

Following the rally protestors marched for over 1.5 miles through the streets of south Tampa, crossing the Kennedy bridge, heading down North Boulevard, and circling around to Cass street before heading back to Kiley Gardens.

Demonstrators march beside Ashley Street in downtown Tampa