On Saturday, I went to the March for Our Lives with a group of friends and my family. Overall, the experience was amazing. Not only was the whole event extremely organized, but being surrounded by people my age who all share the same beliefs in regards to gun control filled me with hope. I came to believe that we, as a collective group of citizens passionate about an issue, can make a change. Standing in front of the Capitol, surrounded by about 800,000 people, I felt that the power of my voice and my vote mattered.

At first glance, the event was incredibly overwhelming. Upon arriving, there were many police officers and members of the national guard there. This experience was a change for me because I had never seen this level of security before at any other march I have been to, including the Women’s March. But as my group and I made our way onto Pennsylvania Avenue, and thousands of people surrounded me, I was filled with glee. More than that, I was impressed and inspired by the students of Parkland, Florida. They have turned a tragedy into a movement; a movement of which I am proud to be a part.

As we stood at the march, we heard heartening stories from those who have lost loved ones from gun violence and have been victims themselves. I remember hearing from one girl who had had a man point a gun at her face and tell her that if she told anyone what she had seen, he would find her and kill her. Even still, there she was on stage, bravely showing the world what happened to her. Other anecdotes were told by a boy who lost his twin brother, a girl who lost her brother, and an 11-year-old girl who wanted to represent the African American women who lose their lives due to gun violence but never make front-page news.

Emma Gonzalez, a Parkland shooting survivor-turned-activist, stood silently at the microphone for several minutes after reciting the names of the victims from the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Her few words following the silence explained how “since the time that I came out here, it has been 6 minutes and 20 seconds. The shooter has ceased shooting, and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape, and walk free for an hour before the arrest. Fight for your lives before it’s someone else’s job.”

Together, they all pleaded for gun reform and took time to remind us of the tragedies that our current gun laws and politicians just allow to happen. All the speakers were students and kids, the only adults on stage were those who performed, like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato, among several others.

Although I was passionate about gun control before the March, going to it empowered me to increase my activism. I was reminded of the need for gun control to protect the students of America, and of the importance of my vote. This November, I can vote alongside thousands of other people my age, and our voices will be heard. The Parkland shooting has galvanized youth worldwide to take part in the battle against gun violence. If our current politicians will not do something to protect students and citizens, then it is our duty to elect those who will. And after going to the March For Our Lives, I believe we do have the power to change gun laws so that no child has to wonder, as so many signs at the March said, “Am I Next?”