Many people are saying the March for Our Lives protests are unwarranted, but that could not be further from the truth. In fact, those who say these protests have nothing to do with school perhaps have not considered the fact that these kids are participating in a learning experience about expressing their First Amendment (free speech) rights.

No one is being forced to go to these protests; despite claims to the contrary (the NRA provided no proof for said claims). Also, many are saying these protests are “violent.” However, it is grossly unfair to call isolated incidents such as these the norm.

Another argument people are making against these protests is “Kids just want to get out of school to go to these protests,” but it would be a disservice to those who are serious about this cause to assume this is the case for everyone these children.

Kids are aware of much more than most people give them credit for. Something many people have been saying is gathering in large groups of people only make these children more vulnerable to acts of violence. However, security can be heightened, and no one should be forced to live in fear.

Jacob M. Oaklyn, Orem