Barack Obama tweets that he and Michelle are 'inspired' by March for Our Lives organizers

Former president Barack Obama tweeted his support Saturday for the young Americans calling for gun control in rallies across the United States. 

Obama — whose repeated pleas for changes to America’s gun laws during his presidency never successfully resulted in legislation — is optimistic that the people driven to act by the slaughter of 17 at a Florida high school will achieve their goals. 

“Michelle and I are so inspired by all the young people who made today’s marches happen,” Obama said. “Keep at it. You’re leading us forward. Nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change.” 

Michelle and I are so inspired by all the young people who made today’s marches happen. Keep at it. You’re leading us forward. Nothing can stand in the way of millions of voices calling for change.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 24, 2018

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Obama and the former first lady also said they were inspired by the survivors of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in a handwritten letter to the students. 

“We wanted to let you know how inspired we have been by the resilience, resolve and solidarity that you have all shown in the wake of unspeakable tragedy,” the couple wrote. “Not only have you supported and comforted each other, you’ve helped awaken the conscience of the nation.”

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Tahara Anderson, 42, from Wantagh, NY, is marching for her boys, ages 10 and 7. “One of them was really scared because the lockdown drills have increased,” she said. “He was crying, ‘What if I’m in the hall, what if I can’t get to my brother?'” Anderson said the school shootings have left her with a “feeling of dread.” She wants to stand with the kids across the country who are pushing for an end to mass gun violence. “What an inspiration they are,” she said. “Maybe they will be the voice that will bring the change.”  
Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY

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Obama said in a Feb. 22 tweet that young people ‘have helped lead all our great movements.’ 

“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,” he said.

Young people have helped lead all our great movements. 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.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2018

The day after the Valentine’s Day shooting, Obama said, “We are grieving with Parkland. But we are not powerless. Caring for our kids is our first job.” 

We are grieving with Parkland. But we are not powerless. Caring for our kids is our first job. And until we can honestly say that we’re doing enough to keep them safe from harm, including long overdue, common-sense gun safety laws that most Americans want, then we have to change.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 15, 2018

 

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