‘March for Our Lives’ students to quiz Congressional candidates in Morristown, April 7

Students lead the Morristown March for Our Lives, March 24, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Students lead the Morristown March for Our Lives, March 24, 2018. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
3

Students drew an estimated 13,000 people to Morristown for last month’s March for Our Lives, to support tougher gun laws.

Now they will try to translate that support into political action.

On Saturday, April 7, 2018, area high schoolers will press 11th District Congressional candidates for their plans to curb gun violence, at a town hall meeting in the Thomas Jefferson School at 101 James St. in Morristown.

Morristown March for Our Lives, March 24, 2018. Photo by Jeff Sovelove
Morristown March for Our Lives, March 24, 2018. Photo by Jeff Sovelove

Democratic contenders Mikie Sherrill, Tamara Harris, Mitchell Cobert and Mark Washburne have agreed to participate, as have GOP hopefuls Martin Hewitt and Patrick Allocco.

As of Wednesday, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R- 11th Dist.) and Republican candidates Jay Webber and Antony Ghee had not responded to invitations, according to organizers of the event, scheduled for 4 pm to 6 pm

“Our first march was an enormous success, but our lives are still in danger,” said a statement from the students.

“This event is a next step in the March for Our Lives Movement: Getting congressional representatives elected who are committed to fighting for gun violence prevention.

“Those of us old enough cannot wait to vote in November, and others will be voting soon. Either way, we will do our part to help voters learn the positions of our candidates and begin to hold them accountable for reducing gun violence.”

Town halls across the country, like last month’s marches, have been initiated by students from Parkland, FL, scene of a Valentine’s Day shooting rampage that left 17 students and faculty dead.

Student moderators in Morristown will include Brianna Arends, a senior at Randolph High School; Bella Bhimani, the West Morris Mendham HS sophomore who was lead organizer for Morristown’s March for Our Lives; and Isabella Bosrock, a senior at West Morris Mendham HS.

Also on the panel: Natalie Gemici, a junior at Kent Place HS; Meghana Maddali, a sophomore at Morris Knolls HS; Evie Mason, a sophomore at Chatham HS; and Carina Pacheco, a junior at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth.

They are partnering with NJ 11th for Change.

The students’ stated mission is:

  • To make gun violence prevention a top priority to protect students and teachers.
  • To remain nonpartisan, “because there are no sides in ensuring the safety of our schools.”
  • To demand a comprehensive and effective bill immediately be brought before Congress to address gun issues. 
  • To encourage voter registration and turnout, especially in the upcoming House of Representatives election in the NJ 11th district.
  • To “allow the voices of our children to be heard.”

MORE ABOUT THE 2018 MARCH FOR OUR LIVES

If you’ve read this far… you clearly value your local news. Now we need your help to keep producing the local coverage you depend on! More people are reading Morristown Green than ever. But costs keep rising. Reporting the news takes time, money and hard work. We do it because we, like you, believe an informed citizenry is vital to a healthy community.

So please, CONTRIBUTE to MG or become a monthly SUBSCRIBER. ADVERTISE on Morristown Green. LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and SIGN UP for our newsletter.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Is Jay Webber still out of sync with New Jerseyans who support sensible gun policies?

    According to a September 2017 Quinnipiac poll, 57% of New Jerseyans, they support stricter gun laws vs. 38% who don’t. If more people carried guns, 63% say New Jersey would be less safe and only 28% of New Jerseyans say the state would be safer.

    If he has the courage to show up for this forum, they should challenge him on this topic.

  2. Does Mikie Sherrill still live outside of the district? I hope they challenge her residency and why she thinks she knows what’s best for the 11th district residents.

LEAVE A REPLY