Demonstrations, rallies call for change

I am encouraged by the rallies and demonstrations orchestrated by students in support of meaningful gun control.

This is the issue for your time and I commend you for your participation.

However, it will likely fall on deaf ears and nothing will happen. Citizens get angry and vocal for a time after each mass shooting and it fades away from media attention and into partisan purgatory.

Keep in mind that behind all the rhetoric that politicians and the National Rifle Association spew out about how owning an assault rifle with a high capacity magazine is more important than the peoples lives that they destroy, what they really mean is that they don't see a way around the money and power that the NRA yields and they don't want to relinquish any.

Just like the anti-war demonstrations of the 60s, you cannot let up in your conviction and actions because it is possible to force change through peaceful public demonstrations. Now, if you leave it up to your parents and government leaders alone, you will be disappointed and all your efforts will be for naught.

The only way to have a chance for meaningful change is if, nationally, you keep a constant visible pressure that grows in size and intensity every day.

And if you hear that our politicians are going to fix the problems in the manner that you are asking, don't believe it until the legislation is passed into law. Keep those demonstrations going until that happens.

Jeff Barnes

Cedar Rapids