At the 2018 Watermark Conference for Women, Amal Clooney praised the young survivors of the horrific shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for their courage in the wake of the tragedy.
The human rights lawyer and wife of George Clooney said: “I am just blown away by these students. I think they are doing an amazing job turning a tragedy into advocacy”, The Independent reports. “It’s only been a week since this happened and I’m in awe of how courageous they are and how effective they are”, she added, referring to the student’s declaration of a March on Washington for gun control.
“I would never have had the possession of mind or the courage at 16 years old, let alone having just gone through what they have, to be able to stand face to face with the president, a senator, the NRA, and answer those tough questions”, the 40-year-old mother of two added. “They are the best vehicle and best hope for change. I really hope that they will succeed and make a meaningful difference.”
Last week, Amal and George announced a $500,000 donation to the March For Our Lives campaign, stating that they were “so inspired by the courage and eloquence” of the student survivors. Amal added that she and George would be attending the March alongside the student protestors. “George and I just personally wanted to make this contribution and say that we will be there with our family because my children are very lucky to go to school here and I know their lives will literally depend on it”, she said.
“The new generation, the young people, feel empowered to make a change, and frankly, they are the ones who should have the platform. The march we’re attending, it’s their march. They are the ones that are going to be speaking, and if someone tries to tell them what the reality is, their response should be, ‘Well, I was the one hiding in the closet a week ago, so let me tell you how I feel and this is what would make me feel safe.’ Watching them gives me a lot of hope.”
