By Skyler Mitchell | Staff writer 
A March for Our Lives event was held in Columbia County on Saturday, March 24 and was initiated by a group of Evans High School students in support of the battle against gun violence.With gun violence becoming a significant issue, and the topic of gun control is one the most significant current debates; it’s no surprise many people are demonstrating. This time, however, many of these protestors are people that have not yet been given the right to vote.Attendees consisted mostly of students and concerned parents as they marched from the Columbia County Board of Education to Evans High School. They were protected by state police while receiving no counter protest.Before the march began, a prayer was held for the victims of school shootings across the United States.“We are gathered here today in anger and disgust over people who consider protecting weapons of destruction over the safety of students,” one individual said during the prayer, with everyone bowing their heads.For about a mile, students marched and chanted while receiving plenty of support from passerby by clapping and horn honking. The walk went on for about two hours before reaching the destination and holding a rally at Evans High School.Both students and adults held speeches and gave their own spin on what they believe would be the best course of action."We recognize that we are part of a long struggle of people who have used their bodies and their voices to voice their grievances,” one of the speakers at the event said. “We have more marching to do.” 
A student related the situation to the banning of Kinder eggs, a chocolate egg with a toy inside. She lamented on the fact that the US “banned a candy that has caused three deaths in 50 years rather than banning guns.”Emily Ball, a high school student, believes assault rifles should be banned rather than guns altogether. “All we ask for is regulation,” she said. “We can’t apply 18th-century rules to 21st-century weaponry,” a point brought up multiple times throughout the rally.“Out of all the beautiful things in this world to see, I don’t want my classroom to be the last thing I see,” an Evans High student stated.Other than debates on gun policies and dealing the memory of the shootings of this year, the rally also focused on election season coming up. Organizers of the event encouraged anyone that can vote in the upcoming elections to participate.“Registering to vote is the easiest way to get your voice heard,” an organizer pointed out while handing out fliers and giving information to potential voters. “Positive change starts with action.” It doesn’t matter where and what your voting for, they are just asking for people to participate.The CSRA has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/March-For-Our-Lives-CSRA-1668411373217557/. For information about future events, please look there.Contact Skyler Mitchell at skmitchell@augusta.edu.