Last night CNN hosted a Town Hall in which surviving students of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre, parents, and community members grilled Florida politicians (including NRA supported Marco Rubio), and NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch. If you haven’t already, WATCH IT ALL HERE. Because it is, plain and simply put, FIRE. Watching these incredibly smart teens holding these politicians and gun-nut mouthpieces responsible for their despicable actions was inspiring, while the grief being exhibited by the parents of the dead students was at times overpowering. It also focused a harsh light on the hypocrisy and willful obstinance of these politicians, the NRA, and even the cops who think the only way to stop mass shootings is to curtail the rights of the mentally ill. In short, it was fascinating, heart-breaking, at times infuriating, and a must-watch. Here are some post-discussion reactions from Twitter.
The sustained activism of students of Douglas High School is a beacon for us all. They are leading the way.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) February 21, 2018
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
When @BarackObama was first elected, I told my husband the generation of children growing up under his leadership would be amazing.
They are.
— Karoli (@Karoli) February 22, 2018
Father of Florida school shooting victim confronts Sen. Marco Rubio: “Your comments this week and those of our President have been pathetically weak” https://t.co/3F4NHQ8i8Z #StudentsStandUp https://t.co/jNbtOL6yma
— CNN (@CNN) February 22, 2018
.@MarcoRubio almost got away with his routine. Then he met @cameron_kasky.
The Florida senator is a talented politician, but he met his match in a 17-year-old who called him out over NRA cash https://t.co/DIXfAy2MEe #StudentsStandUp #NeverAgain #ThrowThemOut pic.twitter.com/XfaMISyqDm
— Khary Penebaker (@kharyp) February 22, 2018
Hello, your daily reminder that @MarcoRubio took $3,303,355 from the @NRA. #StudentsStandUp
— Gabe #DreamActNow Ortíz (@TUSK81) February 22, 2018
Watching a teenager fundamentally challenge Rubio’s talking points feels like watching a generation call B.S. on a whole form of politics. For years, Rubio’s weakness has always been inauthenticity, but no journalist (including this one) has evoked it as vividly.
— Evan Osnos (@eosnos) February 22, 2018
Lying bag of human garbage @DLoesch told #Parkland students at the #CNNTownHall that the @NRA supports background checks. That is simply not true. https://t.co/aNFxC8Txxa #NeverAgain
— Democratic Coalition (@TheDemCoalition) February 22, 2018
NRA spokesperson Dana Loesch is claiming the #ParklandSchoolShooting
survivor kids “rushed the stage” at CNN’s townhall last night yelling “burn her.” That’s ridiculous. Everyone knows you stake vampires.
— John Aravosis (@aravosis) February 22, 2018
.@DLoesch, to Emma Gonzalez, student: “I’m so proud of you for being so politically active. I was a politically active teen myself, and that’s why I’m on this stage right now. Think of how far you can go.”
Shout from the crowd: “IF THEY LIVE TO DO IT”
— Christine Emba (@ChristineEmba) February 22, 2018
What CNN didn’t show you last night was Dana Loesch from the NRA being escorted out, while chants of “shame on you” were being yelled from the crowd. #NeverAgain #BanAssaultWeapons pic.twitter.com/je3loW7bZd
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 22, 2018
‘You work for us, or else.’ – #NRAIsATerroristOrganization #NRABloodMoney #NRA #NeverAgain pic.twitter.com/omv4lYzyPF
— nolaspe (@nolaspe) February 22, 2018
This is THE face of terrorism in America
If this woman were wearing different clothes & darker skin, it wouldn’t even be a question: “Terrorist.”
But she’s affluent & white, so she’s “Spokesperson.”
Her organization is responsible for THOUSANDS of easily preventable deaths pic.twitter.com/dsVu3Eye56
— Bobby (@bobbyrobertspdx) February 14, 2018
“Our good-hearted show and especially our Leslie Knope represent the opposite of your pro-slaughter agenda – take it down and also please eat shit.” – @Nick_Offerman to the NRA https://t.co/gbmKKI1Qjw pic.twitter.com/ymuLfFM76v
— Consequence of Sound (@consequence) February 22, 2018
i guess my favourite part was when the fascist and the weapons merchant both agreed that America needs a database of the mentally ill and a means by which to summarily incarcerate them
— Anthony Oliveira (@meakoopa) February 22, 2018
Whenever politicians talk about giving more guns to people as a solution to gun violence, you can rest assured they aren’t talking about Black people b/c we are shot & killed by police for holding BB guns, wallets, cell phones or nothing at all
— Bree Newsome (@BreeNewsome) February 22, 2018
Retweet if you pledge to never vote for anyone who takes money from the NRA. #NeverAgain #BanAssaultWeapons
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 22, 2018
CNN should fire mealy mouthed fuck Wolf Blitzer and hire a couple of teens to do the job he should have been doing the past 10 elections – not letting lying politicians and industry shills get away with their bullshit.