By Saturday’s March For Our Lives protest saw many powerful speeches–and performances by celebrities. But the one that stood out amongst all these incredible moments was Naomi Wadler’s statement.
Naomi Wadler is an 11-year-old activist from Alexandria, Virginia who led the walk-out at her school with her friend Carter, and moved the crowd in Washington, D.C. with her powerful words. In her speech she not only demanded for gun reform, but also spoke out on behalf of the Black girls and women who have been victims of gun violence, but remain unrepresented and unacknowledged. “I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African-American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper, whose stories don’t lead on the evening news,” Wadler said in her speech.
…we also know that we stand in the shadow of the Capitol, and we know that we have seven short years until we too have the right to vote.
Although she is extremely young, she is wise beyond her years, and recognizes that life isn’t equal for everyone. That life is so much harder for women of color. Like the other students, Wadler emphasized that she and her friends, and the other youth are the future, and the power they will hold when it comes time to vote. “…we also know that we stand in the shadow of the Capitol, and we know that we have seven short years until we too have the right to vote.”
Watch Naomi Wadler’s impactful speech, and be moved.