Amidst a national debate regarding methods of protest and activism, students at B-CC High School in Bethesda have once again shown our community how it’s done.
I recently attended an exhibition by B-CC students hosted by Artomatic, the annual showcase of visual art, music, film, performance and poetry. Organized by B-CC teacher David Lopilato and timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Columbine school shooting in Colorado, the student art dealt with the issue of gun violence.
B-CC, of course, has had its own experiences with the threat of gun violence. On May 13, a student was arrested for allegedly bringing a gun to school. On May 16, a reported threat, later declared unfounded, brought a heavy police response.
At Artomatic, the Barons created a deeply moving display. But it was my discussion with the students that was even more inspiring. What these incredible young people grasp innately is a lesson I wish more lawmakers and advocates understood: that policymaking without activism is empty, and that activism without policymaking is performative.
But when combined, policymaking and activism can create bold change.
I saw this firsthand in Annapolis, where I represent many B-CC families in the Senate. This year, I co-authored legislation to end gun industry immunity in Maryland. From a policymaking perspective, I knew how to draft the bill and present it to my colleagues. But it was the activists—including B-CC students—who did much of the heavy lifting.
From January through April, activists from Moms Demand Action, Giffords, and Brady combined with young voices from the school shooting generation to make their demands heard. There were rallies, press conferences, phone calls, and emails. And in the final hours on the final day, all that grueling work paid off. The bill passed and was recently signed by Gov. Wes Moore.
The legislative session may be done but, fortunately for us, the B-CC students are not. They plan to continue displaying their art, building up to a big exhibit at the 2025 Folklife Festival. The lesson of these amazing students continues, as well: when young activists engage directly with the levers of power, there is nothing they can’t accomplish.
State Sen. Jeff Waldstreicher is a Montgomery County Public Schools graduate. He represents Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Kensington, Rockville and Garrett Park.