One OOne oWhat is the strongest weapon?

Is it a semi-automatic rifle, a concealed handgun, a nuclear missile?

A weapon that is so strong it has the power to affect billions?

Is there a weapon that is impossible for us to destroy?

What is the strongest weapon? There is only one.

Free speech.

What many of us do not realize is that the most powerful weapon in the universe is carried within us- we just need to learn how to harness its power and use it effectively

MLK used his to voice lead the civil rights movement.

Malala Yousafzai used hers to expose the evils of the Taliban in the Middle East.

Emma Gonzalez used hers to call BS on the government and bring attention to gun control.

And today I am using mine to raise awareness of the power of speech.

Bullies exist.

I know because I used to be a victim of bullying.

Then I learned the power of my voice. I learned to say something when I see it.

I speak up for my friends and peers…

But when my friends and peers suffered trauma from the shooting in Parkland, my voice froze. I did not speak up or do much. I just watched as my friends fought for reform by speaking to members of the government, giving speeches and participating in protests. I figured that the best thing I can do is be supportive by just standing by.

But by remaining silent, I was doing more harm than good. I was doing nothing and holding the weapon of my voice unloaded.

As Activist and educator Erin Gruwell reminded me : “Evil prevails when good people do nothing.”

It is so ignorant to sit back and watch the NRA buy our politicians.

To sit back and watch innocent lives perish.

To sit back and pretend guns aren’t an issue in this country.

To sit back and pretend that because we are minors we can’t do anything.

To sit back and pretend that this issue has no effect on us.

I am tired of pretending and you should be too.

Guns do more harm than good. We see this everyday in the news and it happens in our own backyards… even if you didn’t notice that until recently.

I urge you to join me with your own voice.

Speak up because you can.

Use your voice in social media, in protest, in conversations, at your work.

If you are 18 or over, it is imperative that you vote.

Don’t waste the power you carry.

Thank you.

I would like to dedicate this speech to my friends Julia and Sam.   Thank you for speaking up.

Thank you for using your voice online, in speeches and in Washington in front of Donald Trump.

Thank you for spreading hope and being that light in a time of such darkness.