Parkland School Reopens, But Gloom Persists
After the brutal shooting that left 17 students dead, the once-quiet halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have reopened. Teachers, students, and parents braid together a daily ritual of hope—yet a heavy shadow lingers.
Survivors Voice The Unseen Hurt
- David Hogg found the return “never the same.” He compared it to captive flight—you’re stuck in a risky plane, only to board it again and crash.
- A teacher’s return forced her to exit the classroom—literally—after the sight of untouched notebooks and the tiny calendar stuck on February 14.
- Yet students like Cameron Kasky punctured a bright meme: “It is GOOD TO BE HOME.”
- Michelle Dittmeier, sat in the orientation, tweeted, “Having all my friends around makes me feel like I’m not alone.”
Alumni & Community Rally Together
Former grads fashioned banners, decorating the campus like a survivalist patchwork. Meanwhile, in Fort Lauderdale, an inter‑faith vigil carved out 17 empty chairs in memory of the slain.
Political Street‑Corner: What Do the Leaders Say?
- President Trump said school safety tops his agenda and hinted at raising the minimum age for gun purchases to 21.
- He proposed banning “bump stocks,” which can turn semi‑autos into automatic toys—though those weren’t used in Parkland.
- Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced plans to station police at every public school, adjust the purchase age, and push a “red‑flag” law to seize guns from those who might be dangerous.
- His “red‑flag” pledge faces backlash from the NRA, where he scores an A+ rating.
Public Opinion Shifts (and Shivers)
A CNN poll revealed 70% back stricter gun laws (up from 52% in October), and 57% favor a ban on semi‑automatic rifles—surpassing numbers even after other notorious shootings.
The Double‑Edged Combatants
- NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch accused politicians of inaction and the Broward sheriff’s office of abdication.
- Sheriff Scott Israel boxed back, arguing his team handled all calls about the suspect appropriately.
Arming Teachers? No Way.
Randi Weingarten, AFTRA president, called the notion a “terrible idea”. “Schools should be safe sanctuaries, not armed fortresses,” she insisted.
Survivor Voices Over the Hours
Delaney Tarr, another survivor, admits the day feels “daunting and scary.” Yet she stands firm: “I know I have to go.”
