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Thousands of Minnesotans rallied outside the state Capitol Saturday following a student-led march that began at St. Paul's Harriet Island as part of a nationwide protest against gun violence. 


Lawmakers, students and gun violence survivors urged the Minnesota March For Our Lives crowd to press for stronger gun control and school safety laws in the wake of the killing 


"It's nothing short of inspiring to see all these people come out to call on our legislators to take sensible action with regard to gun legislation," said  Austin Berger, a 19-year-old University of Minnesota student.

St. Paul Police estimated about 18,000 people moved through the city and onto the Capitol grounds. Later in the day, Minnesota State Patrol put that number closer to 20,000. By comparison, the crowd estimate for last year's 

, one of the largest rallies in Twin Cities history, was about 100,000.

More than a dozen similar demonstrations were planned Saturday across Minnesota, including Willmar, Brainerd, Duluth and Winona.


The flagship March For Our Lives in Washington, D.C., 

 to Pennsylvania Avenue as part of a nationwide demonstration led by survivors of the 

March for Our Lives

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Youth-driven anti-gun violence efforts on display


The organizers of the Washington demonstration used the event to call for stricter gun control measures including bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and tighter background check rules.

Support soars for stricter gun control laws


Coincidentally, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High were 


During Saturday's Capitol rally, one of the students, senior Joey Zenobi, paid tribute to his friend Joaquin Oliver who was one of the 17 killed by a gunman at the school on Valentine's Day.


"Never again will a community be brought together by such a tragic event," he told the crowd. "Never again, never again will anyone have to make a speech like this."


The student organizers of the event say they plan to keep pressing lawmakers to consider bills that would bring greater gun control measures to Minnesota.

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Nina Moini

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Thousands of Minnesotans rallied outside the state Capitol Saturday following a student-led march that began at St. Paul's Harriet Island, part of a nationwide protest against gun violence.

Thousands of students and families marched to the Minnesota State Capitol today as part of the national March for Our Lives, a protest to call for stricter gun control laws and help stop school shootings.

Minnesota students march to protest gun violence

Students chant "enough is enough" on the steps of the State Capitol.

Evan Frost | MPR News

Seven-year-old Penny Peterson looks out the window of the State Capitol.

Marchers head down Wabasha Street toward the State Capitol.

Member of Barebones Productions assemble a giant AR-15.

upporters of the Minnesota March For Our Lives line Wabasha Street.

The wind blows the hair of demonstrators on the steps of the State Capitol

Student-led gun violence protest draws thousands to Minnesota Capitol

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