PARKLAND, Fla. – Vice President Harris is scheduled to visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, this month to walk through the school with family members of victims killed in a tragic mass shooting that took place in 2018. The attack, which claimed the lives of 14 students and 3 staff members, marked one of the deadliest school shootings in the history of the United States and fueled a surge in student activism advocating for stricter gun control measures.
In an exclusive revelation to NPR, a White House official disclosed that Harris, who oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, plans to tour the building with family members on March 23. The visit will include a walkthrough detailing the path taken by the shooter and the locations where the victims lost their lives. The building slated for demolition was left largely untouched post-shooting to preserve evidence crucial for the shooter’s trial.
Before the school’s demolition later this summer, the vice president aims to visit and commemorate the site with families. Government officials, including Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, have previously toured the premises.
Harris has been actively advocating for stricter gun laws, with President Biden tapping her to lead the Office of Gun Violence Prevention last year. The vice president has been instrumental in allocating $285 million for mental health counselors in schools and engaging state legislators in discussions on enhancing gun safety measures.
The issue of gun violence prevention has taken center stage in Harris’s tenure, with recent efforts such as hosting town halls at college campuses garnering significant attention. During these engagements, Harris reiterated the need for nuanced approaches to gun control, dismissing the false dichotomy between supporting the Second Amendment and advocating for stricter gun laws.
As part of Biden’s reelection campaign, the administration is seeking to engage young voters, voters of color, and women on critical issues such as gun control. Harris’s visit to Parkland will also involve collaboration with grassroots organizations like March for Our Lives, founded by students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, to address ongoing demands for comprehensive policy changes.
Against the backdrop of intensifying calls for action from youth-led groups, including the Sunrise Movement advocating for climate change activism, the administration faces mounting pressure to deliver on campaign promises and demonstrate sustained commitment to addressing the diverse issues facing young voters.