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The power of peaceful protest with young people leading the charge [Participant Newsletter]( [View Online]( STANDING UP FOR TOMORROW “And these children that you spit on As they try to change their worlds Are immune to your consultations They’re quite aware of what they’re going through.” - David Bowie, “Changes” (1971) [fb]( [tw]( THINGS TO KNOW Youth and Protest Throughout history, the world has witnessed the power of peaceful protest, with young people often leading the charge. Generation after generation of students has been inspired and mobilized into action by such revolutionary figures as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez – all of whom believed in and fought for a brighter tomorrow. It’s this legacy of interminable will and sheer guts to stand up for what you believe in that has made a difference in the world by challenging the status quo and compelling countless others to continue the fight. The youth of America are once again leading by example, standing up and speaking out for social change. Following the tragic incident in Parkland, Fla., the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have captured the attention of the country – igniting serious, meaningful dialogue around school safety, mental illness and gun control in ways most adults have chosen not to. They are bravely following in the footsteps of such pioneering individuals as high-school junior Barbara Rose Johns, who in 1951 organized a strike to petition the NAACP and file a suit that would turn into the watershed Brown v Board of Education case. Others, such as those fearless student demonstrators during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, hundreds of whom tragically lost their lives, upheld their belief in greater government accountability, freedom of expression and the power of democracy. True to Participant’s mission that anyone can be a leader for social change, young people, time and again, have helped pave the path for lasting influence and have created an indelible blueprint of what’s possible for new generations of student leaders. At Participant, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire social change by spotlighting those who are on the frontlines – and we stand with today’s youth in their fight for meaningful action. “Every citizen has the power to lead change.” – Jeff Skoll Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Cameron Kasky addresses area high school students at a county-wide walkout in Parkland, Fla., on February 21, 2018. THINGS TO READ [THE PARKLAND TEENS WILL WIN]( Slate [STUDENTS CALL FOR ACTION ACROSS NATION]( The New York Times [THE PARKLAND TEENS ARE PART OF A LONG LINE OF STUDENTS LEADING SOCIAL CHANGE]( Fast Company [MALIBU BANS PLASTIC STRAWS, STIRRERS, AND UTENSILS]( The Los Angeles Times [SPRING IS 20 DAYS EARLY THIS YEAR]( The Washington Post THINGS TO DO [LEARN THE FACTS]( Educate yourself about your state’s policies. [TOOL KIT FOR CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE]( Review Vanderbilt’s guide to productive dialogue around controversial issues – made for teachers but useful for everyone. Like this email? [Forward to a friend](mailto:?subject=FW:%20We%E2%80%99ve%20got%20your%20back%E2%80%A6&body=The%20power%20of%20peaceful%20protest%20with%20young%20people%20leading%20the%20charge%0A%0ARead%20more:%20 or share on [Facebook]( or [Twitter](. Feedback? Reply and let us know what you think. [participant media]( [Participant Media]( is the leading media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires and compels social change. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant's content combines the power of a good story well told with opportunities for real world impact and awareness around the most pressing global issues of our time. Reminder: As a previous subscriber of [TakePart]( all updates are now coming from [Participant Media]( TakePart's parent company. If you have any questions, feel free to [contact us.]( [fb]( [tw]( [About Us]( | [Privacy Policy]( | [Terms of Service]( | [Unsubscribe]( © Copyright 2018 Participant Media. All Rights Reserved.