COUNCIL MEMBER VAN BRAMER JOINS LONG ISLAND CITY STUDENTS FOR NATIONAL SCHOOL WALKOUT

TODAY, at the invitation of student leaders, New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer joined the students of Academy of American Studies and Newcomers High School in Long Island City as they participated in the National School Walkout. Students gathered in the school yard carrying handmade signs, wearing orange ribbons and chanting messages calling for gun control. Student government leaders and the Council Member delivered remarks encouraging the students to get and stay involved and empowering them to be strong future leaders. The rally ended with students from both schools releasing 17 orange balloons – one to represent each life taken at the Parkland shooting.

“I was proud to stand with the students from Academy of American Studies and Newcomers High School today,” said Council Member Van Bramer. “The shooting in Parkland has activated young people across the country to advocate for their safety and for gun control. It’s really inspiring to see these students organizing, getting involved and demanding more from their government. They make me hopeful for the future and they will change the world.”

Students participated in walkouts at schools across the country to honor the lives of the students and teachers who were killed in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and to urge lawmakers to pass stricter gun control laws.