I. I witnessed hundreds of children—fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, and eighth graders—exit the building in complete silence at 10 in the
morning.
2. I witnessed my own tall daughter, earlier enraged and drowning
in tears, calmly lead off the speakers at the podium and loudly proclaim her
right to safety and education.
3. I witnessed children, one two three at a time, realize
that they had something to say and discover the courage to say it.
4. I witnessed a snowplow carefully placed at the entrance
to the blacktop and city police stationed around the perimeter of the field.
5. I witnessed a child whose mother died of cancer demand
safe schools.
6. I witnessed a child whose mother teaches math renounce
all guns in schools, his face stretched in passion.
7. I witnessed the principal nervously checking his watch as
the allotted twenty minutes ticked past and decide not to silence any child who
wished to speak.
8. I witnessed scores of children recognize their need to
speak, respectfully duck around their speaking classmates, and wait patiently
in line for their turn.
9. I witnessed recording equipment for posterity but no
microphones for the speakers.
10. I witnessed the crowd cheer every child who spoke, even
the ones whose words I could not make out.
11. I witnessed a child in a T-shirt and no coat decide to
watch everything without complaint, for an hour, in 30 degree cold.
12. I witnessed a child stop speaking, overcome by tears,
and other children rush up to stand with her to help her finish.
13. I witnessed my own grief blossom into pride, love, and
hope.
14. I witnessed a black girl and a white girl, hands
clasped, declare themselves best friends and call for everyone’s safety.
15. I witnessed a few planned remarks and scores of impromptu
speeches.
16. I witnessed the best thing I have ever seen in a school.
17. I witnessed more than one hundred children find their
voices.
