Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass) met with students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the site of last month’s deadly shooting that killed 17, speaking at the Broward Democratic Party’s annual Obama Roosevelt Legacy Dinner Saturday and offering his support to student activists who are fighting for stricter gun regulations across the country.
“The idea that these kids are missing school, that they’re having to cut practice and rehearsals and recitals and dances to go to memorials and funerals is astounding,” Kennedy said during an interview with "Boston Public Radio" Monday. “The fact that we still do nothing about it, and that we accept that is astounding, [and] the fact that we’re forcing this burden onto kids to try to force them to try to shake our country awake is morally reprehensible.”
Kennedy, a longtime advocate for stricter gun regulations, is the grandson of U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and the great-nephew of President John F. Kennedy, both of whom were assassinated.
“Unfortunately I share that history with millions of others across the country, and I think it’s something that people wouldn’t wish on anybody,” Kennedy said. “I think what’s so frustrating about this for me in the position that I currently hold is that we don’t have the ability to do something about it.”
Kennedy said he has faith that change may come from protests organized by the student activists, including a national day of action, slated for March 24.
“They all said they’re willing to keep fighting, and part of my message to them was to ask them to continue to do so,” Kennedy said. “On an issue as divisive as this, across our country, there’s not going to be a quick solution. I think what you have seen is their willingness to do what they need to do to keep this [at] the forefront of America’s attention ... they will do everything they can to make sure that America doesn’t forget, and we don’t just move on.”
