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'March for Our Lives' draws hundreds to Little Rock

"Today, you have made a vow that not one more, not one more child will lose their life in the classroom."

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Hundreds in Little Rock gathered in solidarity with protesters across the country on Saturday, March 24 for the "March for Our Lives."

The march demanding new gun control laws came almost 40 days after the Parkland, Fla. shooting that killed 17 high school students and staff.

"I'm marching for comprehensive gun laws," student Caden Copeland told THV11.

The march concluded with a rally outside the State Capitol. Speakers included students, a teacher, a parent, and other activists calling for safer schools.

"Today, you have made a vow that not one more, not one more child will lose their life in the classroom," Arkansas march organizer Chris Kingsby told the crowd.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, an organization seeking gun law reform, also helped coordinate the event.

"We demand that lawmakers act in our best interest and not the gun lobbies," Eve Jorgensen, Moms Demand Action Arkansas chapter leader said.

A small group of gun rights activists were present for Saturday's rally. Greg Giuffria, a member of the NRA, was among them.

"Guns are not evil," he told THV11. "They're not evil. They're not good. They're just a tool."

Giuffria said he attended the rally in order to offer a diverse opinion on the issue of gun control.

"The NRA is not powerful because they bought the politicians, but because the belief of self-defense is such a powerful belief," he said.

Before the rally concluded, attendees heard from Greenbrier High School senior Wylie Greer. As students across the country walked out of class March 14 demanding safer schools, he was one of three to exit Greenbrier High School.

He told the crowd he and the other two students were given a choice of two days in-school suspension or two swats as punishment for 'cutting class.' All three chose corporal punishment.

"The swats weren't painful; the adults were respectful the entire time," he said.

"I did what I thought was right," Greer went on to say. "I chose the swats. I don't regret it. I don't regret what I did in the slightest. In fact, I plan to walk out again on April 20."

The April 20 walkout is on the anniversary of the deadly school shooting at Columbine High School.

Saturday's march in Little Rock was one of more than 800 held worldwide, including one in Washington, D.C. that reportedly drew more than half-a-million protesters.

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