Obamas praised for moving handwritten letter to Parkland school after mass shooting

The Obamas sent a letter to Parkland students
AFP/Getty Images
Sophie Williams22 March 2018

The Obamas have been praised for their heartfelt letter to students caught up in the Parkland school shooting in Florida.

Barack and Michelle Obama wrote to students to hail them for speaking out on gun control ahead of the huge March for Our Lives protest in Washington at the weekend.

Seventeen students were killed in the Valentine's Day massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Students from the school are now campaigning for tighter gun control.

Following the release of the note, the Obamas were praised for their kind and compassionate words.

Support: People arrived with emotional support animals, including horses and donkeys, to help the students
Getty Images

Dated March 10, the letter said: "We wanted to let you know how inspired we have been by the resilience, resolve and solidarity that you have all shown in the wake of unspeakable tragedy."

It was retweeted and liked hundreds of times after it was posted online.

George Takei branded the letter a "powerful message indeed," while others said it reduced them to tears.

Kathleen said: "And cue daily Obama tears. I broke down reading it today. " One woman named Lizzy tweeted: "This made me cry. I miss them."

The March for Our Lives event is set to take place in Washington on March 24.

The letter to Parkland students in full:

10 March 2018

 

To the students of Parkland —

We wanted to let you know how inspired we have been by the resilience, resolve and solidarity that you have all shown in the wake of unspeakable tragedy.

Not only have you supported and comforted each other, but you’ve helped awaken the conscience of the nation, and challenged decision-makers to make the safety of our children the country’s top priority.

Throughout our history, young people like you have led the way in making America better. There may be setbacks; you may sometimes feel like progress is too slow in coming. But we have no doubt you are going to make an enormous difference in the days and years to come, and we will be there for you.

Barack Obama Michelle Obama

But hundreds of marches are also scheduled around America and the rest of the world.

It’s thought that more than 3 million dollars (£2.1 million) has been raised for the campaign through GoFundMe.

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