By Julie BUTCHER

Local March organizer Carly Gilmore planned and prepared for an estimated 500 participants, but when the March for Our Lives started on Saturday down the Chandler bike path in Burbank, one of an estimated 846 marches worldwide, thousands joined in. There were so many people participating – kids, big and little, teachers, parents, and members of the community concerned about gun violence – that the “march” stopped at both ends so marchers could turn around to walk in the opposite direction.

News crews and police estimates put the crowd at more than 4,000 by the end of the day.

“Just look at these two,” one dad said, juggling a baby and a toddler. “They’re why I’m here today. To me, this is not blue or red. It’s not political. It just makes common sense to protect our children from guns and gun violence in practical, sensible ways.”

Greeting a student of hers with surprise, a Luther Burbank Middle School teacher exclaimed, “He’s in seventh grade! I’m so glad he’s out here. And this next group here,” she pointed to the next flank in a continuously flowing group of slow walking demonstrators, “these are teachers and students from Bret Harte Elementary. We’re here because we care about our kids, all of them. And they’ve asked us to support them. It’s what we need to do; and I couldn’t be more proud to do it.”

“This issue, these kids, it’s what I’ve been waiting for, for what, 50, 55 years? Let’s call it gun control, shall we? I want these damn guns controlled and I want it now,” exclaimed a Sherman Oaks retiree carrying a sign that read, “Amend that Amendment.”

“Lacey” from Studio City, a senior at CSUN, said, “It is so important to be here, to stand with the Parkland kids, all the kids, for peace, and for an end to all gun violence. That’s why I’m here today.”

Cookies and speakers marked the end of the march. Local congressman Adam Schiff was greeted by the crowd chanting, “Thank you, Adam!” Youth organizers, Assemblymember Laura Friedman, and State Senator Anthony Portantino also addressed the large, peaceful rally.

From her front lawn at the corner of Chandler Boulevard and Keystone Street, just across the street from Edison Elementary School, Krista Kline welcomed and waved to the marchers.

“Look at them!” she said. “This renews my faith in human nature and in the future. It gives me hope.”

  Julie BUTCHER