'March for our Lives' events draw large crowds in Bay Area
Thousands joined the 'March for our Lives' movement on Saturday to speak out against gun violence. It was spearheaded by student survivors in Parkland, Florida.
Parkland, New York City, DC, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and Los Angeles were just some of the 800-plus cities across the world that participated in the demonstrations.
In the Bay Area, there were more than eight different demonstrations, including marches in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and Santa Rosa.
WATCH: Scenes from 'March for Our Lives' events in Bay Area
"Will you march, will you register, will you see that people vote?" said Senator Dianne Feinstein at the rally in San Francisco.
"If all of us register to vote we control the election," said Derek Bonilla, Mission High School.
TAKE ACTION: Get help with improving our schools
A Columbine survivor advised participants at the rally into drill into their retirement accounts to pull money out of gun corporations they may not be aware of.
"I am a Columbine survivor who calls and donates religiously. I am also a Columbine survivor who three weeks ago found out I was a partial owner in the very company that makes AR-15 assault rifles," said Briar Goldberg, Columbine survivor.
After all the speeches, the crowd with their signs marched down Market Street - an impressive sight stretching from City Hall to the Ferry Building.
PHOTOS: Demonstrators call for action with their signs
In Oakland, marchers took to the streets in the name of gun control and calling for an end to gun violence.
"I'm marching for everyone I know and everyone I don't know," said Phillip Mariner.
Oakland police estimate more than 2,000 people took part, the march was peaceful.
Earlier, there was a rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza. It was organized in part by students who want gun violence to end.
"Our lawmakers have failed us when it comes to gun control, we need to take action," said Lily
Conable, student at Encinal High School in Alameda.
Parent Amy Huerta came to the rally with her husband and 17-year-old son.
"I want my son to feel safe at school I'm empowered because students are feeling empowered," said Huerta.
East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell told the crowd he's fighting for gun control.
"I've made the mistake of giving false equivalence to the Second Amendment, I'm done doing that, nothing is more important than the right to live," said Swalwell.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was spotted in the Oakland crowd. Steve's dad was killed in a shooting in Beirut in 1984.
Click here for the latest stories, photos and videos about the "March for Our Lives," and click here for full coverage on school safety issues.
