Parkland Students Pave a Road to Change

This summer the Parkland students are embarking on a #RoadtoChange, traveling across the nation in a campaign to educate and encourage young people to vote. These visionary activists are empowering communities to speak up about local issues around gun violence. With more than 75 stops in 60 days, the March for Our Lives student leaders are a force sweeping the country.  ​

On July 22nd, Vision Quilt joined over 300 other Bay Area residents and activists at the Road to Change BBQ Rally, in Oakland, CA. Cathy DeForest and our team of Bay Area volunteers displayed Vision Quilt panels on the grass in DeFremery Park. People gathered around to ask questions about the artwork and many were eager to get involved, including the Bay Area alumni from Marjory Stoneman Douglas School.

Vision Quilt panels on display in DeFremery Park, in Oakland CA.

Local artists and community leaders from Youth ALIVE!, the Burns Institute, and the Urban Peace Movement spoke at the rally.  Afterwards, the students on the Road to Change bus answered questions on a panel and met with people in the crowd. ​

Parkland survivors David Hogg, Jaclyn Corin, and Ryan Deitsch were in attendance, along with Alex King from St. Sabina in Chicago.  Vision Quilt offered the students a kit and materials for panel making, along with handmade journals for their trip. ​​

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Cathy DeForest, talks with youth leader, Alex King.

Alex Caulderon, a Parkland student and member of March for Our Lives #RoadtoChange tour said, “We all experienced something that should never have happened because of gun violence and because the laws that could have prevented it weren’t in place.”

They will continue their national campaign through mid-August. Vision Quilt looks forward to meeting again with the core members of this powerful youth-led movement this September for a Brady Campaign fundraiser.

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Students getting off the Bus for the Road to Change Rally in Oakland, CA.