George Clooney Writes Letter Praising Parkland Students: ‘You Make Me Proud Of My Country Again’
Zack Sharf
George Clooney has penned a letter in The Guardian newspaper praising the Parkland high school students for their strength in advocating for better gun control laws. The teenagers from Stoneman Douglas High School formed the “Never Again MSD” gun control organization following a school shooting that killed 17 of their fellow classmates and teachers. Their efforts will culminate in the March For Our Lives this Saturday, March 24.
Earlier this year, George and Amal Clooney announced a $500,000 donation to the March For Our Lives campaign. Marches will be held in Washington D.C. and across the country on March 24 in order to advocate for stricter gun laws. The Clooney’s donation was matched by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and more.
“Amal and I are 100% behind you and will be marching in DC on the 24th, but we both feel very strongly that this is your march. Your moment,” Clooney wrote. “Young people are taking it to the adults and that has been your most effective tool.”
“The fact that no adults will speak on the stage in DC is a powerful message to the world that if we can’t do something about gun violence then you will,” he continued. “The issue is going to be this, anyone you ask would feel proud to be interviewed by you but it’s so much more effective if it’s young people.”
Clooney’s letter follows a statement from Bill Murray which similarly stressed the importance of having students being the one to protest. Murray compared the Parkland teenagers to the students who protested and helped end the Vietnam War.
You can read Clooney’s letter below (via Deadline):
Dear Emma, Lauren, and Rebecca,
Thank you for your note and congratulations on the incredible work you and all of your fellow students are doing to make the country a safer place.
It’s terrific that you’re editing the Guardian. It’s a stellar newspaper and they must feel honored to be working with you.
Amal and I are 100% behind you and will be marching in DC on the 24th, but we both feel very strongly that this is your march. Your moment. Young people are taking it to the adults and that has been your most effective tool. The fact that no adults will speak on the stage in DC is a powerful message to the world that if we can’t do something about gun violence then you will. The issue is going to be this, anyone you ask would feel proud to be interviewed by you but it’s so much more effective if it’s young people.
You could talk to a dozen kids like the young kids from Chicago and LA that Emma met with. You could take over the Guardian and make it tell the stories of children by children. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to point to this moment and say it belongs to you. You certainly should do what you want but that would be my hope for you.
Amal and I stand behind you, in support of you, in gratitude to you.
You make me proud of my country again.
Thank you.
All the best,
George
