Today, even as impassioned young people from across the nation took to the streets, inspiring millions by refusing to accept America’s deadly gun violence epidemic, some ill-tempered NRA minions used the occasion to not only cling to their guns but try to intimidate those rallying with threats of violence.
Clad in NRA gear and President Trump’s wearable propaganda, “Make America Great Again” hats, some counter protestors even carried AR-15s — the notorious assault rifle that has taken the lives of so many innocent young Americans — to harass ralliers.
That the grotesque displays ended without incident is nothing short of miraculous. That the presence of these self-proclaimed Second Amendment enthusiasts was so diminished by the numbers, energy, and commitment of March For Our Lives participants, however, is no accident.
It is a testament to the tremendous leadership, courage, and passion of the survivors of the Parkland school massacre who have changed the tenor of the gun debate in America — hopefully forever.
While the NRA and the Members of Congress on their payroll have whipped their constituencies into a lather over their right to bear arms, watching America’s next generation of leaders come into their own, it is clear that America’s future is in good hands.
Images, video, and social media commentary from the armed men’s failed attempts to intimidate peaceful marchers can be found below.
Open carry dude crashing the #MarchforOurLives in Austin. Think he came to listen? pic.twitter.com/iTp0fDyURl
— Matt Valentine (@germanglasseye) March 24, 2018
At the #marchforourlives in Austin and bc TX is an open carry state these assholes decided to carry their AR-15s to let us know we were “using dead children” to take away their guns pic.twitter.com/gSJNO7GBXd
— (((Councilwoman Leslie Knope))) (@senatormallin) March 24, 2018
Fort Worth Police have formed a protective circle around 2 counter protesters using a microphone to disrupt the city’s #MarchForOurLives event which is about to get underway pic.twitter.com/hlRDEBp0jZ
— J.D. Miles (@jdmiles11) March 24, 2018
Counter-protesters exit the #MarchForOurLives rally. Throughout the entire rally police officers surrounded them, using their bikes as barriers. pic.twitter.com/SpSdl6JU0F
— Javier Rodriguez (@WEBNtvRodriguez) March 24, 2018
Counter protestors are out here in Arizona. One man brought an AR-15 and says he plans to be peaceful but said “if they attack I will attack back.” He says those saying gun violence is on the rise is “fake news.” #MarchForOurLives #azfamily pic.twitter.com/S8FezA496R
— Briana Whitney (@BrianaWhitney) March 24, 2018
A little different aura here in PHX.
2A advocates counter protesting – in their AR-15 way. #MarchForOurLivesPHX #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/iONNhfWQHG
— Dan Munro (@danmunro) March 24, 2018
At a #MarchForOurLives counter-protest in Salt Lake City, some demonstrators were armed: @sltrib https://t.co/yfyDZkGlUf pic.twitter.com/lkQVi92E8Z
— The Trace (@teamtrace) March 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedNews/status/977587757634785280
At a #MarchForOurLives march in Greensburg, PA. I wonder who this gentleman is & what his family, friends, colleagues, co-workers & employer would think of this. If it’s an open carry state, he’s well within his rights. But it’s still a good & interesting question dontcha think? pic.twitter.com/xUmdyIjy9S
— TXWomenRESIST (@resist_tx) March 24, 2018
Small group of counter protesters from #OCT (Open Carry Texas) here at San Jacinto for the #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/1Z9qcTlobV
— NewsChannel9 El Paso (@KTSMtv) March 24, 2018
