More than 1 million people are expected to attend the "March For Our Lives" rally in Washington D.C. in support of changing gun regulations and fostering more school safety.
Across the country, 831 rallies are planned to support the main movement in our nation's capital.
Here in North Texas, there are four cities hosting their own. If you or your child is planning to march, here's everything you need to know about the event:
North Texas movements:
Dallas City Hall: 1500 Marilla St, Dallas, TX 75201
Denton Courthouse on the Square: 110 W Hickory St, Denton, TX 76201
Tarrant County Courthouse: 100 W Weatherford, Fort Worth, TX 76102
Collin County Courthouse: 2100 Bloomdale Rd, McKinney, TX 75071
For many teens, this will be their first time protesting — and joining such a huge crowd can be daunting. Whether you’re an experienced activist or a first-time marcher remember these things as you head out.
Plan ahead
Let your family know you’re going to the march and bring a friend (or a few!) along with you. Decide a location and time where everyone can meet up if your group gets separated.
Prep your smartphone
Fully charge your phone before the march, but in case it dies, write emergency contact numbers on an index card or even your arm. To make it easier to communicate at the march, consider downloading an app such as FireChat, which allows you to instant message without using data or Wi-Fi within a 200-foot range. Use #MarchForOurLives to share images and videos from the protest on social media.
It might also be a good idea to turn off the fingerprint unlock feature on your phone. Although it’s incredibly unlikely, the police could force you to use your fingerprint to unlock your phone, but they can’t ask for your password thanks to the Fifth Amendment.
How to interact with law enforcement
Demonstrators at large, peaceful marches like this typically don't interact with the police unless they are doing something illegal like purposefully blocking a road. If you get stopped by the police, the ACLU says you should "stay calm, be polite, and don't run." Some states have “stop and identify laws,” meaning that if a police officer asks you to identify yourself you must give your name. Keep your hands visible and ask if you are free to leave.
Know your rights
Whether you’re a citizen or not, the First Amendment protects your constitutional right to demonstrate peacefully. You also have the right to photograph or film police. Police can pat you down to make sure you’re unarmed, but unless you are under arrest, you can refuse to consent to a search.
If an officer says you are under arrest, don’t resist even if you don’t think you’ve done anything wrong. You can ask why you’ve been arrested, otherwise you have the right to remain silent.
How to deal with counterprotesters
Remember that counterprotesters have rights, too. As long as they are not physically interfering with the main demonstration, they can attend the event and speak out. Police will generally keep the two groups separated, and it’s best not to engage with counterdemonstrators, according to the ACLU.
North Texas students on the movement:
Celebrities set to attend "March For Our Lives" in D.C
A number of celebrities will descend upon Washington D.C along with a reported 1 million marchers.
Jimmy Fallon announced on his show on March 20 that he will march in Washington, D.C. in support and encouraged his viewers to also support the cause.
Justin Timberlake appeared in a video with Mayor Bowser on March 19, announcing his support for the March for Our Lives.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the mind behind Broadway hits Hamilton and In the Heights, recently teamed up with the star of Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, Ben Platt, in a musical mashup. The two actors combined Dear Evan Hansen's "You Will Be Found" and Hamilton's "The Story of Tonight," titled Found Tonight. The duo announced they will not only be participating in the march, but they will be performing their collaboration there as well.
David Hogg, a Parkland shooting survivor and activist, announced Thursday that singers Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato will stand with the marchers on Saturday by performing.
"We're gonna have four major independent women that are standing with us and walking beside us, and those are Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato. They're gonna be standing there with us and marching with us and they're some of the few people that are really coming out and stepping up with us," Hogg said.