Monday night's rain was not an obstacle for more than a hundred people who showed up at Betti Stradling Park in Coral Springs, just five minutes from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, to participate in one of the several candlelight vigils organized by the Florida Parent Teacher Association (PTA) around the state to honor the victims of the Parkland shooting.
“We're all hurting. Home is where the heart is, but now, in Coral Springs and Parkland, home is where the hurt is for us," said Andrea Venkatesan, who was born and raised in Coral Springs. "This is a time for us to grieve and come together, share in our values and our rage and turn our pain into passionate protest.”
Speakers included the mayors of Parkland and Coral Springs, local religious leaders and the president of the Florida PTA.
Jasmine Makkar, 15, is inspired by all the rallies led by people of her generation. “Even though we're not 18 and we can't vote, kids can make a difference,” she said.
Her friend, Courtney Sheflin, 16, agreed with Makkar, saying that their generation has to make adults in their community know how serious they are about the issue of gun control.
Courtney was there with her mom, Christine Sheflin, who wants specific changes made.
“I hope that comprehensive measures are put in place, not just gun control but mental health, improvement in school security, improvements in background checks and I am looking for an assault weapons ban,” said Sheflin
The night ended with a reading of the names of the 17 people killed.
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