IN THIS ISSUE PARKLAND : How the Students Turned Tragedy into a Youth Movement

Duration: 18:14

On Valentine’s day 2018 a gun man entered a high school in Parkand, Florida and opened fire. By the time he was apprehended there were 17 dead, including teachers and students. The massacre became a warrior cry for the students. They raised their voices to demand stricter laws and it swept across the country. It’s not the first time people in the U.S. have called for gun restrictions after a mass CREDITS News in Review is produced by shooting. But this time the students of Parkland CBC NEWS and Curio.ca had momentum and that turned their moment into a movement. GUIDE Writer: Jill Morris Editor: Sean Dolan Related News in Review Stories VIDEO Host: Michael Serapio  Mosque Attack: Mass Shooting in Quebec Senior producer: Jordanna Lake (Mar 2017) Packaging producer: Marie-Hélène Savard Associate producer: Francine Laprotte  Orlando Shooting: Motivation of a Mass Murderer (Sep 2016) Supervising manager: Laraine Bone  Justin Bourque's Violent Rage (Dec 2014) Visit www.curio.ca/newsinreview, where you  Colorado Shooting Rampage (Sep 2012) will find an archive of all previous News in Review seasons. As a companion resource, we  A Gunman Attacks Students in Montreal recommend that students and teachers (Oct 2006) access www.cbc.ca/news for additional  Children in Trouble: Guns in Schools articles. (Sep 1999) Closed Captioning News in Review programs are closed Other related Curio.ca content captioned for the hearing impaired, for English as a Second Language students, or for situations in which the additional on-screen

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VIDEO REVIEW 3. a) How many mass shootings have there been in the U.S. since 2012?

NOTE TO TEACHERS b) How many people have been killed? The classroom must promote a safe place for students to discuss sensitive issues such as violence and death. 4. Including the number of people killed in Prepare students for the topics that will be discussed. mass shootings, what was the average Allow for individual reflective time in addition to small annual number of deaths from guns in the group activities where students can safely process their U.S. between 2013 and 2016? thoughts and emotions 5. On average, how often do school shootings happen in the U.S.? Before Viewing 6. What stands in the way of establishing As a class or working in a small group, consider tougher gun laws? the following questions: 7. Where and when did student activist David  To what extent do you feel safe in your Hogg film his first video about the need for school? gun control? How does he explain his  What aspects of your school or school decision to record this video? culture make you feel more or less safe? 8. During the meeting between President  Do you think students in Canadian schools Trump and victims and survivors of recent feel safer than students in U.S. schools? and past school shootings, what  What factors do you think account for any recommendation is given for how to different feelings of safety in Canadian and prevent school shootings? U.S. schools? 9. What does student activist Samuel Zeif think Write down some of the interesting points and the real issue is? ideas that came up during your discussion. You will have an opportunity to refer to these 10. Why has Canadian company Mountain discussion points after viewing this News in Equipment Co-op stopped carrying Vista Review. Outdoor products? 11. What is NRA-TV? Viewing 12. At the march on Washington, why does 1. By what measure was Parkland one of the Emma Gonzalez stand in silence for a little safest small cities in Florida? over six minutes?

2. What sort of action related to gun control 13. What does the student chant “vote them would some people like to see? Why might out!” mean? it be particularly difficult for this action to be taken in Florida?

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After Viewing a) In what ways is this advice particularly meaningful in the context of the gun 1. Read this short report on the events that control movement in the U.S.? took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012. b) What do you think being a “nuisance” might involve? Do you think that your www.cbc.ca/news/world/20-children- school would support student efforts to among-dead-in-connecticut-school- “be a nuisance” if it were in the service massacre-1.1134782 of an important social or political goal? Explain your answer. The weapon used in the Sandy Hook shooting, the AR-15, is the same gun used in 3. Look back over the discussion points you the shooting in Parkland. You can read recorded in the Before Viewing section. more about the weapon and the Sandy Should Canadian students be as Hook parents’ efforts to hold the gun concerned about school shootings and manufacturer responsible for its part in the gun control as their U.S. counterparts? Sandy Hook shooting here: Explain your reasoning. http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/sandy- hook-lawsuit-1.3639036 The AR‐15 rifle — the weapon used in the Based on what you have read, what do shooting in Parkland — is a restricted you think Jefferey Kasky, father of student firearm in Canada. The purchase of activist , means when he such a weapon is regulated by the says: “I mean, I hate to be cynical, but federal government. To buy an really, frankly speaking, if Sandy Hook didn’t AR‐15 in Canada you would need do it, I don't know how this will.”? to obtain both a possession and acquisition licence, as well as a restricted firearms licence. After showing 2. As CBC host Ian Hanomansing points out, these documents to a shop owner, you will be the students of Stoneman Douglas High permitted to purchase the gun but will have to wait for School are living up to the expectations of up to two weeks while the paperwork is submitted to a their school’s namesake. Marjory Stoneman provincial office for approval of your application. Once Douglas, a journalist, environmentalist and your application has been approved, and you have the activist for racial justice, advised: weapon in your possession, there are strict rules that you must follow. For example, you need to carry the “Be a nuisance when it counts. Do your part licensing paperwork with the weapon at all times and to inform and stimulate the public to join your you cannot make any stops between your home and action. Be depressed, discouraged and the shooting range when the gun is with you. The disappointed at failure and the disheartening shooting range is the only place where the weapon can effects of ignorance, greed, corruption and be legally fired. bad politics but never give up.”

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THE STORY

Minds On

Write a short journal entry in which you describe your personal experience with, knowledge of, and feelings about guns. Consider whether your perspective is typical of most people living in Canada. If you already have an opinion about gun control laws, articulate your opinion and explain why you hold this opinion. After writing, you may choose to share a portion of your entry to the class.

The new normal We are no longer shocked by the news of a school shooting. A dramatic description of a shooter entering a quiet school hallway with a semi-automatic weapon poised to open fire on innocent young people is absurdly familiar. In the United States more than two-thirds of all schools have an explicit plan in the event of an eighth school shooting in the U.S. over the first “active shooter” entering school grounds. Most seven weeks of 2018. of those schools have regular practice drills where doors are locked, blinds are drawn, and Here’s what happened: shortly after 2:30 in the students crouch silently on the floor, away from afternoon, a young man carrying an AR-15 rifle doors and windows. Canada has followed suit. entered the school and opened fire, killing 17 While not yet mandatory across all jurisdictions, people and wounding 17 others. A short while most school districts have “lock down” later, the shooter was arrested by police. In the protocols and many require their schools to terrifying interim between the shooting and the carry out practice drills throughout the year. All arrest, students hiding throughout Stoneman of this in preparation for the new normal of gun Douglas High School were using social media violence in schools. to point out what many believe should be obvious by now: America has a serious It has been almost twenty years since the problem with gun violence. infamous school shooting at Columbine High School in Boulder, Colorado. Over those years, U.S. gun laws and the NRA the number of school shootings has increased Many people blame the rise in school at an alarming rate. The Valentine’s Day shootings on the National Rifle Association shooting in Parkland, Florida, marked the (NRA). The NRA was established in 1871 as a

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hobbyist group with the purpose of promoting A civics lesson: Never again rifle shooting as a leisure activity. It wasn’t until The power of the NRA and the ongoing fear of the 1970s that the organization became introducing any kind of legitimate gun control overtly political and began lobbying for the legislation proved to be a motivating factor for protection of Second Amendment rights — the the friends of the victims of the Parkland controversial section of the U.S. constitution shooting. In fact, the real story here is the rise of advocating for “the right to bear arms.” so many determined, organized, and With a reported membership of over five articulate young people rallying a nation to million, the NRA wields considerable political finally engage in a real conversation about power. According to Eugene Volokh, a law gun laws. professor at UCLA, “There are lots of voters Cameron Kasky is one of the founders of the (NRA members and otherwise) who feel very “Never Again” movement that emerged from strongly about gun rights. As a result, politicians the anger and frustration of the surviving — especially from those states or districts where students at Stoneman Douglas High School. many people support gun rights — are Kasky began posting to on the ride reluctant to oppose the NRA, since they are home from school on the day of the shooting. worried that voters will retaliate against them Two hours after the shooting, his critique was for their positions.” sharp and pointed: “Thank you to all the The annual revenue for the NRA in 2016 was second amendment warriors who protected almost a half-billion dollars. While a small me.” His fear had been transformed quickly to portion of the organization’s income is anger as he noted, “I just want people to gathered from individual membership fees, understand what happened and understand most of its money comes through contributions, that doing nothing will lead to nothing. Who’d grants, royalty income, and advertising from have thought that concept was so difficult to the gun manufacturing industry. The NRA grasp?” His posts on social media led to an contributed millions of dollars from its 2016 invitation from CNN to write an op-ed piece revenue to pro-gun politicians, including $3.3 and an interview with . Four million to Senator of Florida. days after the shooting, Kasky, along with fellow founder of the movement, Alfonso The gun manufacturing industry — through its Calderone, launched a Facebook page contributions to the NRA and the NRA’s where they shared a petition for more subsequent contributions to politicians — has thorough background checks for people exerted a great deal of influence on whether gun control laws will be passed and how strong and effective those laws will be if they are For a history of U.S. gun control initiatives, see Sarah Gray’s article: “Here’s a Timeline of the passed. Major Gun Control Laws in America” at: http://time.com/5169210/us‐gun‐control‐laws‐ history‐timeline/

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purchasing guns. They also announced a make it harder for people to get guns nationwide protest called (because it shouldn’t be easier than getting a — a rally that attracted 800 000 people to the driver’s license) and the removal of Military event in Washington, D.C. and thousands of Grade Weapons from Civilian Society.” others to corresponding rallies across the U.S. Civic engagement and responsibility March for Our Lives Whether calling on state legislators in Florida to Joining Kasky on the podium at March for Our restrict the sale of assault rifles and large Lives was , a senior at Stoneman capacity ammunition magazines or taking to Douglas High School who had filmed interviews task the state’s senator, Marco Rubio, for with his classmates during the shooting. Hogg refusing to rule out future donations from the has become one of the most recognizable NRA, these young people are providing a faces of the movement, participating in moving lesson in civic engagement and numerous interviews on a variety of media. responsibility. And they have their priorities During his speech, Hogg told the audience, “If straight: , junior-class president of you listen real close, you can hear the people Stoneman Douglas and a key organizer in the in power shaking. We’re going to take this to “Never Again” movement, reminded every election, to every state and every city.” classmates torn between a local protest march Hogg has been consistent in his message and funerals for the victims of the shooting to about the capacity of his generation to affect “prioritize the comfort aspect first, prioritize the change. funerals, prioritize the victim’s families, prioritize all of that first, and then focus on the politics.” In her speech at March for Our Lives in Grounded in such emotional maturity, perhaps Washington fellow Stoneman Douglas High this clear, critical focus on the politics is a School student Emma Gonzalez recited a list of reason for optimism that real change is the names of the students who had been possible. killed. She then fell silent, head held high as tears streamed down her face until a timer beeped, indicating the close of six minutes Explore the running tally of U.S. school shootings and twenty seconds — the precise length of available here: https://everytownresearch.org/school‐ time it took for the gunman to kill 17 of her shootings/ schoolmates and wound 17 others. Despite As you view these statistics, be sure to read the being accused of “politicizing” the tragedy description of each event. This tally was created by a and being disrespectful towards second non‐profit group lobbying for greater gun control in the amendment advocates, Gonzalez and the U.S. The tally has been criticized for including incidents other fledgling activists have carried of gun use that did not directly threaten student safety. themselves with a great deal of poise and a Can you think of some reasons why the people creating strong sense of purpose. Demonstrating both the tally would want to include every episode of gun balance and determination, Emma Gonzalez use on school property? posted on : “A gentle reminder that all we are aiming for here is stricter gun laws that

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To Consider

1. Is the threat of a school shooting in Canada equal to the threat in the U.S.? If the risk is different in the two countries? What factors do you think contribute to this difference?

2. What do you think will be the greatest obstacle to efforts to bring about change in U.S. gun laws? Do you think they will be successful? Explain your reasoning.

3. Do you think Canada’s gun laws are sufficient? Explain your reasoning.

Activity #1: Participating in Your child poverty, cyberbullying, environmental Democracy preservation, etc. Select the ten most significant issues and, as a class, brainstorm the To be successful at pushing for change, the specific ways in which each issue impacts the student organizers in Parkland, Florida, had to lives of young people living in Canada. learn a great deal about the laws and political After you have completed your brainstorming, structures that shape the current debate categorize each issue according to which level around gun control in the U.S. To ensure a of government is responsible for that issue. If you strong democratic system, it is important for need to review the different levels of every member of a community to know how government, you may want to watch this video: the system works and how to participate in www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C8uDuhLqvg that system in a responsible and effective manner. Keep in mind that in some cases, different aspects of an issue will be the responsibility of In this activity you will have an opportunity to: different levels of government. For example,  Think more about the issues that have an education policy is the responsibility of the impact on your life as a young person living provincial governments but gun legislation — in Canada. which could impact safety issues in schools — is a federal responsibility.  Develop an awareness of the levels of government in Canada. With a partner  Practice engaging in the political process Working with a partner, select one issue to by reaching out to the appropriate research. Find out about the history and government official. current state of the issue. Identifying the level As a class of government that is responsible for the key aspects of the issue you have researched, Make a list of issues that have a direct impact work with your partner to draft a letter or email on the lives of young people in Canada. You to the appropriate government representative. might include issues such as school security, If your issue is the responsibility of your

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provincial representative, then you will need to product that expresses the power of youth direct your letter to your MLA or MPP. If your activism in the world and to broaden the issue is a federal concern, then you will write to class’s understanding and appreciation of the your MP. If your issue is a municipal youth movements taking place in the world responsibility, then you will write to your local right now. Prepare to present your finished councillor or alderman. In your letter, share product to the class. your knowledge of the issue, your opinion on the importance of the issue and ask for his or Sources: her position on and plans for addressing the Beckett, L. (February 15, 2018). How many US school issue. Be sure to use a formal format for your shootings have there been in 2018 so far? The Guardian letter or email. Edit your work carefully before International. Retrieved from: you send it off. www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/14/school- shootings-in-america-2018-how-many-so-far It is very likely that you will receive a response! Gray, S. (February 22, 2018). Here’s a Timeline of the Major Gun Control Laws in America. TIME: History. Retrieved Activity #2: Photo Montage – from: http://time.com/5169210/us-gun-control-laws- Global Youth Activism history-timeline/ Hickey, W. (January 16, 2013). How The Gun Industry Working with a partner, spend Funnels Tens Of Millions Of Dollars To The NRA. Business Insider. Retrieved from: www.businessinsider.com/gun- at least a week browsing a industry-funds-nra-2013-1. variety of news and social media stories involving youth Joseph, R. (November 16, 2017). Lockdown drills are new normal amid escalating reports of public shootings. activism. Take notes on what Global News. Retrieved from: you discover but also collect https://globalnews.ca/news/3863800/lockdown-drills- important or evocative images public-shootings/ of the issues, events, and actions revealed in Khalil, A., Woodward, C. (March 24, 2018). Hundreds of your research. You may choose to include thousands gather at March for Our Lives gun control notes on and images from the continuing rallies inspired by students. The Associated Press (Toronto activism of the students from Parkland, Florida. Star). Retrieved from: www.thestar.com/news/world/2018/03/24/thousands- Your teacher may provide you with a selection gather-at-march-for-our-lives-gun-control-rallies-inspired- of reliable news media sources as a foundation by-students.html for your research. You may decide to explore a Turnbull, J. (March 7, 2018). How America's gun laws single movement in detail or you might piece compare to Canada’s. CBC News with files from Jason together images from several different Turnbull. Retrieved from: movements from around the world. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/sudbury/ar15-canada-vs-us- 1.4564601 Once you have collected your notes and Wright, M., Molloy, M., Lockhart, K. (February 26, 2018). images, use the Microsoft Sway application Parkland students vs the NRA: Has the powerful US gun (https://sway.com/) — or another multimedia lobby met its match in Generation Snapchat?. The Telegraph UK. Retrieved from: application — to organize and present your www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/26/parkland- images and notes. Your goal is to create a students-vs-nra-has-powerful-us-gun-lobby-met-match/

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