PARKLAND, Fla. — Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School this month in Parkland, Florida. The purpose of her visit is to walk the halls of the school with family members of those who lost their lives in a mass shooting that occurred in 2018. The tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 14 students and three adults, injuring 17 others, making it one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. The aftermath of the shooting saw a surge in student activism advocating for stricter gun control laws.
Harris, who oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, is set to visit the school on March 23. During her visit, family members will guide her through the building, retracing the steps taken by the shooter and pointing out where their loved ones were tragically killed. The building, which has remained largely untouched since the shooting, is scheduled for demolition later this summer. Preservation efforts were made to keep evidence intact for the shooter’s trial, with bullet holes and blood stains still visible inside.
As preparations for the demolition continue, access to the building will soon be restricted. Harris is not the only government official to have toured the premises, as Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have also visited in the past. The issue of gun violence prevention has been a focal point for Harris, who has been vocal about the need for stricter gun laws both at the White House and during her engagements around the country.
Harris has been actively involved in promoting gun violence prevention, with President Joe Biden appointing her to lead the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Initiatives include allocating $285 million for mental health counselors in schools and engaging state legislators to advance gun safety measures. The vice president’s office has emphasized the importance of addressing gun violence, especially among young voters, voters of color, and women, who are key demographics for the Democratic party.
Efforts to address gun violence have resonated with young people, with a significant portion listing it as a top issue in the upcoming election. Organizations like March for Our Lives, co-founded by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, continue to advocate for stricter gun laws and call for action from political leaders. The visit to Parkland is part of Harris’s ongoing commitment to engage with communities affected by gun violence and champion preventative measures to curb the devastating impact of such incidents.