March For Our Lives in Columbia, S.C.

Photo story and text by Tori Richman

Columbia, SC- March For Our Lives became a national movement calling for stricter gun laws, stronger gun control and to protest against the numerous school shootings and gun violence after 17 people were killed in a school shooting in Parkland, FL on Feb. 14. The crowd of about 3,000 people gathered at the corner of Calhoun Street and Sumter Street in preparation for the mile-long march to the state house.

The event was organized in part by Building Better Communities, an organization that works to create better community relations with law enforcement and the community. Other groups in attendance included Moms Demand Action, Faith Coalition on Gun Violence and Moms Against Gun Violence.

Dr. Germon Miller-Bey and 12-year-old Liam Sexton wore wooden guns to collect memorial names of gun violence for the RICH Garden of Peace Tree. “It has been there for four years, and unfortunately we add a lot of wooden guns there,” Miller-Bey said.

A young protester wears a shirt in remembrance of "Cisco" who was a victim of gun violence. Marchers came for many reasons but all were there for the same purpose.

A young protestor sits on the steps of the State House, playing with a toy train on his sign. The event lasted around 4 hours, with many students staying till the very end.

Students cheered and chanted for change during speakers presentations.

The march was led by high school students and other youth from around the state, with Sarah Hinnant, 18-year-old Dreher High School Student, at the forefront. She carried around a pink megaphone, which helped echo the chants of “enough is enough” and “no more silence end gun violence” down Sumter Street, and ending at the State House.

The rally formed a mass of people one the grounds, and with the young marchers on the stairs of the State House. Those too young to stand alone were invited to stand up on the steps with their parents. On the steps laid bouquets of orange flowers spelling out “Never Again” and a flower representing a child killed by gun violence since January.

The rally included some performances by students, student speakers, Stephen Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia, and others. The general sense of the march was that these youths will be heard and are being heard.

Four-year-old Emma VanHoogen and her mother Ut Uyen VanHoogen came from Myrtle Beach, SC to attend the rally in Columbia. “We wanted to drive up to D.C. but then realized how crazy that was with 6 kids” VanHoogen said. As for her daughter, Emma, she was excited to share her ability to spell “cat” but also to share what her and her VanHoogen, a guidance counselor have talked about in terms of gun violence and why they were here. “We are here to pray for the people who got shot by the bad people” Emma VanHoogen said.

While legislation of any kind will take time, the students today still feel optimistic. “I’m hopeful something will change” Naomi Kemp, a first year student at USC said as she and her friends Julia Gasse and Nora Abouissa took photos with their signs in front of the State House. “I think being out here with a lot of like minded young adults makes me feel a lot more comfortable with the change.” Gasse said.

Tori Richman

I am from Charlotte N.C. I had actually never held a camera until my freshman year of college, but I have always been interested in photography. I learned everything that I know so far from working on The Daily Gamecock where I now work as photo editor. I’ve photographed news, concerts, portraits, and sports. Sports is my favorite type of photography, but I am wanting to become more creative in my photography.