Oprah Winfrey added a $500,000 pledge to match the amount pledged each by Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, and by George and Amal Clooney to back the March For Our Lives campaign following the Florida high school massacre on Valentine’s Day.
Winfrey tweeted: “George and Amal, I couldn’t agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to ‘March For Our Lives.’ These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we’ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard.”
Seventeen students and school employees were left dead on Feb. 14 by another student Nicolas Cruz, 19, who went on a shooting rampage.
There has been widespread public condemnation of the National Rifle Association (NRA) since the massacre and there is now an unprecedented march planned by the newly formed organization, March For Our Lives, by the survivors of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The group will lead a protest on Washington, D.C., March 24.
The group says it wants “a comprehensive and effective bill be immediately brought before Congress” to deal with gun issues.
It remains to be seen whether this proposed march will be a tipping point. Politicians –especially Republicans– are wary of confronting the NRA which has a well-oiled PR operation and donates millions of dollars to campaigns.
