Campaign Action
House Speaker Paul Ryan is off on an overseas jaunt for spring break. That's a pity, because there are some constituents back home he really needs to take seriously for his future.
Student activists in Wisconsin are building on momentum from this weekend's March for Our Lives by embarking on a four-day, 50-mile march to House Speaker Paul Ryan's hometown to call for stricter gun control laws.
The group of 40 students set off from Madison in the direction of Janesville on Sunday in 37-degree weather, wearing their warmest winter clothes and best walking shoes. Some wore shirts that said "50 Miles More." […]
"I think we have a unique opportunity because the speaker of the House is the most important member of the House, and he's from Wisconsin," said 17-year-old Brendan Fardella, one of the march organizers. "This is a unique way to catch his attention and call him out for his constant burying of possible gun legislation that would save hundreds of lives every day in this country." […]
The students were also inspired by civil rights leaders of the 1960s, who organized the multiday, 54-mile Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama.
"At that time, people said what they were marching for was impossible," said 18-year-old Katie Eder, another march organizer. "They made the impossible possible. We're picking up where the young people of that time left off."
Ryan's spokesperson "said via email Sunday that 'the speaker appreciates those making their voices heard today,'" which is probably the last thing the speaker really feels about the young people putting the spotlight directly on his failed leadership. Those meddling kids.
Those kids and their allies registered thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of new voters on Saturday. This year, Republicans can't count on the usual abysmal voting turn-out in young voters. This year is very different. Between now and November, the urgency that made the March for Our Lives come together in just six weeks is not going to dissipate. The energy that is driving 40 students to use their spring break to walk 50 miles in the cold to scare the hell out of Paul Ryan isn't going to just go away.
Speaking of registering to vote, here’s where you can register or change your registration if you’ve recently moved.
