Local students take part in March for Our Lives in Palm Springs

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Palm Springs Saturday as part of a nationwide show of solidarity with the Florida high school mass shooting survivors who are advocating for stronger gun control laws with a major demonstration in Washington, D.C.

Marchers of all ages congregated at Palm Springs High School’s football stadium and then marched to city hall and back. They included students from various high schools across the Coachella Valley.

Chants of “never again” and “our lives matter” were heard as students marched from one location to the other.

They called for more gun control measures such as changing gun ownership rules. One girl said the support from the community was overwhelming.

“It’s not just a young person’s movement and it’s everyone from babies to old people here,” Gabrielle Gurierrez, a student at Palm Springs High School, said. The senior citizens here are showing a great amount of support here. It’s overwhelming in the best way possible.”

The energy of the students was inspiring for city leaders and other adults.

“We have reinforcements coming from our youth and I’m hopeful that they are going to be the tipping point,” Palm Springs Councilwoman Lisa Middleton said.

“The energy and the youth has revitalized me, I’m ready to go nine rounds,” Thommy Kocan of Palm Springs said.

The Palm Springs Police Department closed the area around East Tahquitz Canyon Way and South El Cielo Drive until around 1 p.m. due to the march.