To the Editor:
On Friday, March 23, at 9:30 pm, 78 teens from Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth (along with 10 adults) headed to Washington, D.C. for the March for Our Lives. The trip was organized by Keith Chatinover, a senior at Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. Generous donations from the Island and Falmouth covered the cost of the buses and Metro tickets, making the trip free for all who attended. Keith had the trip planned down to the smallest detail, even providing us all with cards printed with the Metro stop info in case anyone was separated.
As Erik Gura remarked to me, “They say an army marches on its stomach.” East Falmouth’s Waquoit Congregational Church parishioners packed 110 delicious lunches, each brown bag graced with a wonderful quote by Harriet Tubman. Church members Diane Shaw and Kathy Flynn met us at the Steamship parking lot to send us off with the food, and warm wishes for the trip. And Pie in the Sky sent us off with a huge box of fresh baked goods. Many others sent along snacks and water.
The youngest marcher was in seventh grade, and the youngest at heart in her 70s (the indomitable Milly White from Falmouth). It was a profound experience to be in D.C. with hundreds of thousands of youth, all gathered to raise awareness about gun violence in our country, and organize for common-sense gun regulation. The kids had the opportunity to register to vote, and join online networks to stay informed on the issues and how they can act for change. It was a privilege for me to be able to attend with these young people (and my son, Dashiell Loth-Rozum, a senior at the Charter School). After a hard political year, we all left inspired by the messages of hope and change.
Aimee Loth-Rozum
East Falmouth
