They even marched in Alaska
by digby
And there is no state that reveres guns more than Alaska. Here’s how they made the argument:
FAIRBANKS — An estimated 200 people filled the Golden Heart Plaza on Saturday to rally against gun violence and show solidarity with hundreds of thousands of other protesters across the nation.
The Fairbanks March For Our Lives gathering followed a town-hall-style panel discussion on gun violence at Raven Landing led by three professors from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. About 100 people attended that event.
The rally unfolded under a bright afternoon sun, and speakers young and old took turns demanding action from policymakers to address what some say is a public health crisis.
Since 1999, there have been 10 school shootings per year—on average—in the United States, said Alex Hirsch, assistant professor of political science at UAF.
The rally was the third protest held in Fairbanks this month in defiance of gun violence. On March 9, students walked out of Randy Smith Middle School to bring attention to the issue. Area high schoolers staged a walkout last week.
“None of us want to go forward in this society wondering whose child will be killed,” said Keith Champagne, UAF vice chancellor of Student Affairs, one of the speakers at Golden Heart Plaza. “We all, as human beings, need to decide how we are going to deal with these issues.”
Protesters held signs that said: “Protect kids, not the NRA (National Rifle Association),” “Tougher gun laws make America civilized,” and “Thoughts and prayers don’t stop bullets.”
Speakers included Rep. Adam Wool, D-Fairbanks, Lathrop High School students and North Pole High School English teacher Krista Christensen.
Christensen also produced an art installation titled “Stations of the Fallen” involving posterboard-sized messages about violence toward marginalized groups. A separate display showed posterboard-sized photographs of local schoolchildren with bullseyes on them. “I am not a target,” was the text on the signs. “Protect kids, not guns.”
Christensen cautioned people from believing in a “false dichotomy” that the debate about gun violence boils down to gun owners versus those who don’t approve of guns.
“Most gun owners care deeply about the safety of the children and the vulnerable,” she said.
Prepared statements from state lawmakers and the governor were read aloud. Wool said he forgot to prepare a statement so he decided to attend the rally in person. He gave examples of public policy that addresses public safety. Seat belts must be worn, he said. Adults must show identification to buy certain over-the-counter medications.
“Why aren’t we doing this same kind of approach with gun violence?” he asked.
The rally ended with a prayer and a march.
Nobody in Alaska wants to confiscate guns. It’s a huge hunting state. So it’s meaningful that people turned out to protest, that young people are participating in this movement and that politicians are willing to speak out.
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