History of March for Our Lives in Timeline

March for Our Lives (MFOL) is a student-led movement advocating for stricter gun control legislation. The inaugural demonstration occurred on March 24, 2018, in Washington, D.C., accompanied by over 880 related events globally. Organized by Never Again MSD in partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety, the march was a direct response to the Parkland high school shooting just a month prior. Media outlets have suggested this tragic event could serve as a turning point in the ongoing debate surrounding gun control laws in the United States.

1994: Call for Restoration of Federal Assault Weapons Ban

Protesters urged for the restoration of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban.

2011: Gabby Giffords Marching and Paying Tribute

In 2011, Arizona Representative Gabby Giffords, who survived weapon violence in the 2011 Tucson shooting, marched and paid tribute for the six victims who died at her Congressional Rally back then.

2012: March in Jacksonville

In 2012, A rally in Jacksonville had a turnout of over 1,000 people in Hemming Park. Hundreds of people marched from Hemming Park to the Duval County Courthouse.

2015: Protests after Charleston Church Shooting

In 2015, protests occurred following the Charleston church shooting, although they did not amass more than several hundred participants.

November 2017: Protests in Various South American Cities

In November 2017, protests took place in Lima, Peru, Bogotá, Colombia, Georgetown, Guyana and Caracas, Venezuela.

February 2018: March For Our Lives Twitter Account Started

In February 2018, the March For Our Lives Twitter account was started with the handle @AMarch4OurLives. The account provides real-time updates about the movement, including information about events, meetings, and protests.

March 2018: Celebrity Support for March For Our Lives

In March 2018, Selena Gomez shared the march's hashtag #MarchForOurLives, and Lady Gaga documented the march on Instagram. Other celebrities like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Kim Kardashian pledged to join and perform at the march.

March 24, 2018: First March For Our Lives Demonstration

On March 24, 2018, the first March for Our Lives demonstration took place in Washington, D.C., organized by Never Again MSD with the help of Everytown for Gun Safety. There were over 880 sibling events across the United States and the world, following the Parkland high school shooting.

April 20, 2018: National Walkout Day

On April 20, 2018, National Walkout Day occurred. Social media followings for March for Our Lives had grown to over 1.3 million people, contributing to the attendance of 200,000 people at the March For Our Lives protest in Washington, D.C. The hashtag #MarchForOurLives was used 3.6 million times.

June 1, 2018: Release of "Hold Out Your Hand" Music Video

On June 1, 2018, Brandi Carlile's song "Hold Out Your Hand" became a music video showing montage recap clips of protestors being guided by officers on motorcycle while Brandi is blending in with the crowd and is later seen performing on the front lawn of the Seattle Center.

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2018: Founding Members Awarded American Ingenuity Award

In 2018, the founding members of March for Our Lives were awarded Smithsonian magazine's 2018 American Ingenuity Award in the Youth category.

March 5, 2019: MFOL Facebook Page Follower Count

As of March 5, 2019, the March For Our Lives Facebook page had garnered more than 300,000 followers. The page is used to provide updates on national policies regarding gun laws and coverage of politicians who advocate for gun safety.

November 2020: First MFOL Chapter in Puerto Rico

In November 2020, Kemuel Delgado established the first March for Our Lives chapter in Puerto Rico.

June 11, 2022: Nationwide Protest Organized by MFOL Action Fund

On June 11, 2022, after the Robb Elementary School Shooting, the MFOL Action Fund organized a nationwide protest. The main protest occurred in Washington, D.C., along with hundreds of sibling events throughout the United States.