Students hold gut-wrenching protest at White House while Trump golfs

While Trump was playing golf for the 93rd time as president on Monday, students from the Washington, D.C., area were staging a lie-in front of the White House to demand immediate action on gun control legislation.

The event highlights how the student-led grassroots movement underway to finally confront gun violence in America is not just happening in Parkland, Florida, which suffered a school massacre last week, where 17 students and teachers were killed.

There, students have been lining up to denounce Trump for his lack of leadership and for his refusal to confront the gun lobby.

It’s now a call that’s being heard all across the country. And it’s just beginning. The goal is simple: Pressure Republicans to stop blocking gun safety legislation and to break the NRA’s grip on common-sense solutions to gun violence.

On Monday, it was outside the White House. But the protests are scheduled to continue for days, weeks, and months to come.

On March 14, the Women’s March organizers and their allies are encouraging students and teachers to take part in a national walk-out from school. They’re demanding that Congress take legislative action on gun control.

Another national walkout is scheduled for April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine shooting in Colorado.

And a national march is being organized for March 24 and will take place in Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday at 9 p.m., CNN is hosting “Stand Up: The Students of Stoneman Douglas Demand Action,” which will feature students and parents affected by last week’s mass murder.

As much as the White House, the GOP, and the NRA want this issue to fade so they don’t have to confront tough issues, make difficult choices, and face accountability, students are working hard to make sure that’s not an option.