Over the last week, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School's teens have become the most visible faces and powerful voices of the gun control movement in the wake of the shooting at their Parkland, Florida high school on February 14th, where 17 of their own were killed. They've given chilling, viral speeches, covered nationally. They're organizing a march and walkout this March. And they've now got former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama officially on their side.
The 44th president and his wife have both taken to Twitter to praise and lend their support to the teens' efforts. "Young people have helped lead all our great movements," Barack tweeted this morning. "How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be. We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs."
"I'm in total awe of the extraordinary students in Florida," Michelle tweeted yesterday. "Like every movement for progress in our history, gun reform will take unyielding courage and endurance. But @barackobama and I believe in you, we're proud of you, and we're behind you every step of the way."
To learn more about the Parkland teen survivors' upcoming school walkout on March 14th or the national March for Our Lives, happening in Washington D.C. on March 24th, click here. To learn more about what you can do to support gun control and end gun violence, visit everytown.org.
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
