March 25, 2018
Thousands of people marched in Old City Saturday to advocate for gun control reform during the nationwide March for Our Lives.
The demonstration was organized in the wake of the Parkland shooting that left 17 people, including teenagers, dead. In its flagship location in Washington, D.C., organizers estimated around 800,000 people attended.
If those numbers are accurate, that would make the March for Our Lives the largest single-day protest ever in held D.C. Second would be the Women’s March, held the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration last year, which brought an estimated 500,000 attendees to the Capitol, according to the Washington Post.
In Philadelphia, one of the more than two dozen cities that held its own sister marches, turnout is estimated around 15,000 -- far surpassing the expected outcome by the event’s organizers, which had a little less than 5,000 people RSVP’d on Facebook. The march, which was scheduled to begin at 5th & Market Streets, had people stretching all the way back to at least 11th Street at its start.
At the Wilmington march, attendees got a glimpse of former VP Joe Biden, who surprised the crowd by skipping the D.C. event and heading to his home state instead.
“Too many children are being hurt,” he told the crowd.
My grandson with Joe Biden today in Wilmington Delaware , March for our Lives! pic.twitter.com/rKYe9cuq4m
— Agnes Smith (@AgnesSm91350007) March 24, 2018
Just outside Philadelphia, Jay Leno made a surprise appearance at the nearby West Chester rally.
lmao I met Jay Leno at my town’s march for our lives today. who knew organizing a march would get you a pic with a famous talk show host what the fu pic.twitter.com/BOXAOSfO9v
— izzy 🌈 (@GOTYOUTHISR0SE) March 25, 2018
Back in Philly, many people shared footage of the crowds and signs, including one of the rally’s earliest speakers, Mayor Jim Kenney.
I am so inspired by all the young people who have refused to accept gun violence as a new normal. We will keep fighting so that one day, we won’t have to march for our lives. #MarchForOurLives #March4Philly pic.twitter.com/0HvdjGvwT0
— Jim Kenney (@PhillyMayor) March 24, 2018
At the March of our Lives in Philly today with my 15-year-old daughter and her friend. Now’s the time for Pennsylvanians to take action and vote out our corrupt elected representatives, Democrats and Republicans alike. #WeCallBS pic.twitter.com/mMGJLR0SvP
— Drew McGinty (@DrewMcGinty) March 24, 2018
March For Our Lives Philly coverage for @gettyimages #documentaryphotography #resist #mfol #guncontrol #ccphilly #gettyimages #philly #thekidsarealright #marchforourlives https://t.co/2M2Lnf0ruc pic.twitter.com/ATXHagL92Q
— Jessica Kourkounis (@kourkounis) March 24, 2018
Philly supports the March for our lives movement. TOO MANY HAVE DIED. ENOUGH is ENOUGH pic.twitter.com/gDThOjuU8m
— ms. web (@Ihaveanopinion) March 24, 2018
March for Our Lives Philly. #Enough pic.twitter.com/bmBeP5frt8
— Christopher Denman (@CZDenman) March 24, 2018
What do we want #Philly? #Gunsense now. @March4Philly amazing turnout, @MomsDemand Philly proud to join @StudentsDemand & #ParklandStrong to #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/CLg0e7qURd
— Wonder Mom (@WonderMomPA) March 24, 2018
So proud to take part in the March for our Lives today in Philly! This is democracy in action! #marchforourlivesphilly #marchforourlives #180brags pic.twitter.com/Zs9YEyef81
— Fran Cheeseman (@FranCheeseman) March 24, 2018
Also among the speakers (see the full list here) was Pennsylvania U.S. Senator Bob Casey, who advocated for banning assault rifles and called on Alabama U.S. Senator Mich McConnell to open up bipartisan debate on gun control to the national level.
My thanks to all those who marched across Pennsylvania, our nation, and the world. We cannot surrender to gun violence. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/G68sKAX9SJ
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 24, 2018
In New Jersey, more than 20 marches occurred throughout the state, including in Ocean City. The South Jersey event drew hundreds of participants, the Press of Atlantic City reported, and was pioneered by 17-year-old Emily McGrath, who attends Egg Harbor Township High School.
March For Our Lives • Ocean City, NJ pic.twitter.com/6MIDKorQhA
— hella stella (@Katiiestella) March 25, 2018
