Meet some of the student organizers behind March For Our Lives Los Angeles
Smart Girls sat down with a few of the student organizers, Olivia Spaulding, Madi Phan, & Rachel Iribe, behind the March For Our Lives Los Angeles to discuss their inspiration behind organizing, the change they want to see and their hopes for the future.
Smart Girls: What do you hope politicians and the world at large take from the March?
Student Organizers: Stop taking money from the NRA. The NRA is committed to standing in the way of reasonable gun safety laws and risking more student lives as a result. Introduce new laws or we will vote you out of power one-by-one. The march is just the beginning. We will not stop fighting until we see the the change that’s been long overdue.
We want the world to know that change is possible even from the youngest voices. We hope the generations that come after us learn that if they see a problem they have to work to change it. It’s never good to stay quiet because that allows the situation to repeat itself. Find a problem, start a movement, and be the leaders we need in this world. The support from the global community is incredible.
SG: What actions do you want to see taken as a result of the March?
SO: We want to continue the momentum behind this issue and increase awareness about the need for common sense gun laws in America. We need politicians publicly committing to pass a bill with something, anything, that decreases the possibility of a weapon getting into the wrong hands. We have had too many tragedies and their time is up.
SG: What are you hopeful for in 2018?
SO: We want people to pre-register to vote even if they are not eighteen yet. I’m hopeful that the younger generation will show up in crowds to vote for leaders who want the best for students and our country. With that said, School safety is not a democrat or republican issue. Protecting the lives of students is not political. The vast majority of Americans from all walks of life support reasonable gun safety laws. We know change is possible this year. Below are the channels we’re using to spread awareness for how people can support us.
- Pre-register: TEXT P2P to 788–683
- Twitter: @March4rLivesLA :: #March4OurLivesLA
- Instagram: @March4RLivesLA :: #March4OurLivesLA
- Facebook: @OfficialMarchForOurLivesLA #March4OurLivesLA
- URL: WWW.MarchForOurLivesLA.com
SG: What do you hope younger women take from your work organizing the March?
SO:We can’t wait for the day that this question won’t even need to be asked: it will be assumed that women, young or not, will always be at the forefront of change and leading the charge for improving our country. Until then, we hope this march will be a step toward empowering another generation to participate and help us create safe communities for all.
SG: Who are you inspired by?
SO: The students at Parkland inspired us to organize a march here locally, but we are also incredibly grateful for the amazing leaders of the Women’s March Foundation LA and all the speakers and performers who jumped at the opportunity to lend their voices to the cause on the 24th.
SG: How has organizing this event affected your future aspirations?
SO: Many of us were activists are our schools for a range of issues including women’s empowerment, anti-bullying, and healthcare. Social impact is part of who we are. We want to train to be lawyers or policy experts so we can create a country with laws and safe communities that embrace everyone regardless of their background.
SG: Is there anything that you want to share with us that we didn’t ask you?
SO: Our biggest priority is giving a voice to voiceless victims of gun violence. We have lost so many students and teachers recently in mass shooting tragedies. It’s time to demand change and say: enough. This shouldn’t happen in our country, it doesn’t happen in any other country, and it shouldn’t happen ever again. We hope the march will be a day of healing, solidarity with resilient survivors, and a commitment to changing our gun laws.
More on these inspirational young women below:
Olivia Spaulding is a 16 year old sophomore at Palos Verdes High School. She has been involved in National Charity League Board, Press Friends Board, ASB, MUN, and Science Research. She is a competitive dancer and a member of her high school Pep Squad. She is also the founder of the non-profit Hope for Health Co. In the future she hopes to study Public Health and International Relations. Olivia is passionate about ending gun violence. She was deeply moved by the tragedy in Florida and inspired by the teen survivors. She is grateful to have the opportunity to do her part here in Los Angeles.
Madison “Madi” Phan is a junior at North Torrance High School. She has given a TED talk to kids in her district, been a member of ASB, and was a Girl Scout for six years. Currently, Madi is involved in her school’s theatre and dance program, on the student panel group, and is in GATE program. In the future, Madi wants to be part of the film industry to give Asians and Asian-Americans more representation in Hollywood. She would also like to provide assistance to those in developing countries. Helping to make a change in society and the world is something Madi is passionate about and hopes for more amazing opportunities like participating in the March For Our Lives.
Rachel Iribe is a proud Latina born in Los Angeles County. Rachel is a senior at South Gate High School, a member of the Student Body Leadership, and School Site Council. One of the many activities that brings her joy is organizing events that help others such as blood drives at her school or Anti Bullying campaigns on campus. After graduating from high school, Rachel hopes to earn her Bachelor’s degree and get into the medical field. She is committed to remaining an activist at heart and improving her community by being an active member of society. The reason Rachel is organizing the March for Our Lives is to leave behind a safe and fair environment for those who come after her. She is torn apart by the many young lives taken over the years due to the lack of proper gun regulations. Rachel believes children are the future of this nation and it is everyone’s responsibility to protect them. A change is long overdue so that the loss of these life to gun violence will no longer be in vain.
