Caleb Hekman has read about mass social protests in his history classes at City High School. Now he has been part of one.
The junior was one of 42 local students who traveled together to the March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C. to protest gun violence and call for political change. Hearing powerful speeches from students his age, including survivors of the Feb. 14 Parkland, Florida mass school shooting, in a crowd of hundreds of thousands was “one of the most powerful things I’ve ever seen,” Caleb said afterward.
“It’s something that kids could learn about in their history books, and I was a part of that,” he said.
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Caleb helped organize a bus trip to the nation’s capital that included students from about 15 schools and more than a dozen adult chaperones. He worked on the plan with his girlfriend, junior Mirabella Witte of Union High School and Kent Innovation High, her mother, Amber Fox, and his mother, Amy Riley.
Students came from several districts around the area, including Forest Hills, Godfrey Lee, Godwin Heights and Northview as well as other Grand Rapids Public Schools. A GoFundMe campaign helped some students afford the trip.
Caleb said he was deeply affected by students who spoke of losing classmates and loved ones to gun violence. One hit especially close to home: a young man whose twin brother was shot to death in a robbery. It made Caleb think of potentially losing one of his three brothers.
Students Acknowledge Privilege
He was also impressed by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who said the media would not have given the same coverage if their shooting had happened someplace less affluent, and that they wanted to use the tragedy to shine a light on places like Chicago where gun violence is more prevalent.
“The students that went up there speaking really showed me you don’t have to be a voter to make a difference,” said Caleb, who won’t turn 18 until next January. “Just your voice, if it’s heard by people that do want to vote, or by legislators that can actually make change, that’s enough for me.”
He said he was motivated to write letters to legislators, urging a ban on assault weapons and other gun-control measures. “If I wasn’t so busy with school this week, I’d be writing a letter tonight,” he said.
Meanwhile, other students hope to set up a town hall and invite U.S. Rep. Justin Amash to talk about gun legislation.
The motivation he and other students got from March for Our Lives will propel them forward, Caleb said.
“It really is empowering me to make the change. And each person that wants to make the change matters.”
