First lady Melania Trump on Monday offered comforting words for the victims and survivors of the mass school shooting in Florida and said she was “heartened” by the voices of children trying to “create change.”
“As a parent I cannot imagine the kind of grief and tragedy that brings. And I hope we all find ourselves wondering what we can do to help,” she told a gathering of the nation’s governors’ spouses at the White House.
Speaking of the horrific shooting last week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 students and staffers were gunned down — allegedly by Nikolas Cruz, who was armed with an AR-15 assault rifle — the first lady talked about the hardiness of humanity.
“In my year as first lady, I have learned that often after tragedy, you see the strength and resilience of the human spirit,” she said.
The shooting also rekindled a national debate about gun control, with many of the school’s students marching on the Florida state capital to demand lawmakers act to protect them and enhance security at their schools.
Melania Trump addressed their resolve.
“I have been heartened to see children across this country using their voices to speak out and try to create change, they’re our future and they deserve a voice,” she said.
She called for unity to “effect positive change for our children” to prepare them for their futures.
“It is important that as adults, we take responsibility in helping our children manage the many issues they’re facing today,” she said, calling for positive habits on social media and teaching them about the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.