Parkland, DC students join at Never Again Rally ahead of weekend's March for Our Lives

WASHINGTON - Students from the Florida high school where a February mass shooting left 17 dead rallied with high school students in Washington, D.C. on Thursday ahead of this weekend's March for Our Lives demonstration.

Several students from Marjory Stoneman Douglass High School, including Jaclyn Corin, Alex Wind, Emma Gonzalez, Cameron Kasky, and David Hogg, attended the Never Again Rally at Thurgood Marshall Academy.

Students from Thurgood Marshall, who have lost two students to gun violence over the past year, will march with students from Parkland who spearheaded Saturday's upcoming protest. Over 500,000 activists from across the nation are expected in D.C. for the massive demonstration.

Last week, students nationwide held walkouts and school demonstrations against gun violence.

"We are so very proud of you each and every day and we have such high expectations about - and for - the leaders you will become," said Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser when she greeted the students ahead of Thursday's rally. "I am sorry in many ways that you have to step up in leadership on this issue but I am also grateful that it is you, the young people, that will lead the way - not only for our city - but for our entire nation in making sure kids can be more safe in school, more safe in their neighborhoods and more safe in our cities."

Saturday's march will be held on Pennsylvania Avenue between 3rd Street and 12th Street and is scheduled to begin at noon.