Emma Gonzalez has no time for NRA-funded politics. 'We call BS,' she screamed.

A high school senior and survivor of the shooting in Parkland, Florida has a message for Donald Trump and other politicians who stand against tighter gun controls.
 By 
Adam Rosenberg
 on 
Emma Gonzalez has no time for NRA-funded politics. 'We call BS,' she screamed.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Emma Gonzalez speaks at a rally for gun control at the Broward County Federal Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on February 17, 2018. Seventeen perished and more than a dozen were wounded in the hail of bullets at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland,Florida the latest mass shooting to devastate a small US community and renew calls for gun control. / AFP PHOTO / RHONA WISE (Photo credit should read RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images) Credit: rhona wise/AFP/Getty Images

Remember the name Emma Gonzalez. She surely has many more speeches to come.

In the aftermath of last week's shooting in Parkland, Florida, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School senior and survivor stepped up during an anti-gun rally to deliver a fiery speech. Like so many others, Gonzalez is fed up. She's seen firsthand the desperate need for tighter gun controls, and she understands the political machinations that prevent such changes from happening.

It's a powerful moment. You should watch for yourself.

"Every single person up here today, all these people should be home grieving," Gonzalez said early in the speech. "But instead we are up here standing together because if all our government and President can do is send thoughts and prayers, then it's time for victims to be the change that we need to see."

(Read the full transcript right here.)

Ms. Gonzalez is one of many survivors of a school shooting -- there have been more than 200 in the United States since the turn of the century -- who now has to live with everything that comes next. The thoughts and prayers. The appeals to not politicize this grief-filled moment. The efforts to cast the blame for killings on something other than the tools of those killings.

Gonzalez has heard it all before. She's a high school senior. She's grown up in a culture that's allowed hundreds of school shootings to happen in the space of 18 years. She'll probably be old enough to vote by November, if she isn't already. She'll definitely be old enough by 2020.

So when Gonzalez says "we call BS" on NRA-backed Congressional leaders claiming nothing could be done to prevent this, she's actually in a position to carry that anger and frustration into a voting booth. As are many of the thousands of others who have either survived a shooting like this or been touched by personal connections to such an incident.

In the hours since CNN televised the speech and then shared it on social media, the name "Emma Gonzalez" has become a top trending topic. She's got TV appearances lined up. She may not be the sole voice out there unloading on the rampant hypocrisy that continues to keep tighter gun control laws at bay, but that speech really resonated.

It's no surprise.

Mashable Image
Adam Rosenberg

Adam Rosenberg is a Senior Games Reporter for Mashable, where he plays all the games. Every single one. From AAA blockbusters to indie darlings to mobile favorites and browser-based oddities, he consumes as much as he can, whenever he can.Adam brings more than a decade of experience working in the space to the Mashable Games team. He previously headed up all games coverage at Digital Trends, and prior to that was a long-time, full-time freelancer, writing for a diverse lineup of outlets that includes Rolling Stone, MTV, G4, Joystiq, IGN, Official Xbox Magazine, EGM, 1UP, UGO and others.Born and raised in the beautiful suburbs of New York, Adam has spent his life in and around the city. He's a New York University graduate with a double major in Journalism and Cinema Studios. He's also a certified audio engineer. Currently, Adam resides in Crown Heights with his dog and his partner's two cats. He's a lover of fine food, adorable animals, video games, all things geeky and shiny gadgets.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
'Hokum' review: I screamed myself hoarse at Adam Scott's new horror movie
Adam Scott in "Hokum."

'Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice' review: Time-traveling gangster comedy is a must-see crowd-pleaser
Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, and Eiza González play an unconventional love triangle in "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice."

Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show: Will he call out ICE?
Bad Bunny performs onstage at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 17, 2025 in Hollywood, California

Tesla driver’s chilling 911 call transcript: ‘It’s on fire. Help please.’
Tesla dealership photograped from the outside

White House uses 'Call of Duty' clips to brag about war in Iran
President Trump grimaces in front of a U.S. flag.

More in Life
California just launched the country's largest public broadband network
Newsom stands behind a teen on a computer. A group of people cheer and clap behind them.

The Shark FlexStyle is our favorite Dyson Airwrap dupe, and it's $160 off at Amazon right now
The Shark FlexStyle Air Styling & Drying System against a colorful background.

Amazon's sister site is having a one-day sale, and this Bissell TurboClean deal is too good to skip
A woman using the Bissell TurboClean Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner Mop and Lightweight Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The best smartwatch you've never heard of is on sale for less than $50
Nothing CMF Watch 3 Pro in light green with blue and green abstract background

Reddit r/all takes another step into the grave
Reddit logo on phone screen

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!