Teens Hold ‘Lie-In' Protest Outside White House to Demand Trump Act on Gun Control
After 17 teenagers lay down, many more teens and adults joined them
By Andrea Swalec and The Associated Press ••
Teens Hold ‘Lie-in’ Gun Control Protest at White House High school students organized on social media and held a “lie-in” protest Monday outside the White House. They told News4’s Meagan Fitzgerald they want common-sense gun law reforms to protect children and teens.
Dozens of teenagers laid down in front of the White House Monday afternoon for three minutes. That's how long it took a gunman to kill 17 people on Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The teens held a "lie-in" on Presidents Day to demand that President Donald Trump and Congress change gun laws to keep children safe.
The group that organized the protest, Teens for Gun Reform, had called for 17 teens to lie on the ground, representing each victim of the high school shooting. But once those 17 people lay down, many more teens and adults joined them.
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators lie on the ground a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators hold signs during a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators lie on the ground a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators lie on the ground during a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators chant during a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators supporting both gun control, at left, and gun rights, at right, hold signs during a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators lie on the ground a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: A counter-demonstrator holds signs during a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Getty Images
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: Demonstrators lie on the ground a "lie-in" demonstration supporting gun control reform near the White House on February 19, 2018 in Washington, DC. According to a statement from the White House, "the President is supportive of efforts to improve the Federal background check system.", in the wake of last weeks shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)
Some of the people who laid on the ground closed their eyes. Some crossed their arms over their chests, as if in a casket. At least two of the young people held hands.
Ella Fesler, a 16-year-old high school student in Alexandria, Virginia, said she participated because she was angry and afraid.
"It's really important to express our anger and the importance of finally trying to make a change and having gun control in America," she said.
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"Every day when I say bye to my parents, I do acknowledge the fact that I could never see my parents again," she added.
Two high school juniors, Whitney Bowen and Eleanor Nuechterlein, both 16, helped organize the protest via social media.
"We were completely inspired by the kids from Parkland speaking out," Nuechterlein said.
Dozens of teenagers lay down in front of the White House on Monday to urge President Donald Trump and Congress to "protect kids, not guns." Here's the solemn moment they lay down.
In a statement, Teens for Gun Reform said, "We call on President Trump and leaders from both parties to finally act in the interest of America’s youth and end these tragic mass shootings! It is imperative that American children are safe in their classrooms, churches, malls, movie theaters and streets!”
