Today: March For Our Lives Rallies Across The U.S. And The World

Hundreds of thousands of people across the entire United States and every continent except Antarctica are marching today to protest the lack of action by lawmakers to cope with the gun massacres that have occurred in schools.

From The New York Times:

The student activists, many of them sharp-tongued and defiant in the face of politicians and gun lobbyists, have kept attention on the issue in a time of renewed political activism on the left, as they helped lead a national school walkout and pushed state officials in Florida to enact gun legislation. The effectiveness of the students’ efforts will be measured, in part, on the success of Saturday’s events — their most ambitious show of force yet.

Here’s what we’re watching as protests unfurl around the globe:

• More than 800 protests are planned in every American state and on every continent except for Antarctica, according to a website set up by organizers. Here’s a map of planned protests.

• The National Park Service has approved a permit for the Washington march that estimates 500,000 people could attend. Called March for Our Lives, the main event there kicks off around midday, and some of the most prominent student activists from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where a shooting left 17 dead last month, will speak.

• On Saturday, the White House said in a statement, “We applaud the many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today.”

Follow the rallies on Twitter via the hashtag #MarchForOurLives

"Either represent the people or get out...Stand for us or beware: The voters are coming," #Parkland student, Cameron Kasky (@cameron_kasky) says to lawmakers. #NeverAgain#MarchForOurLivespic.twitter.com/FwbCRu25Qa

— Robyn Ruth (@Robyn_Resists) March 24, 2018

WATCH: Emma Gonzalez speaks about the one thing she wants to come out of the #MarchForOurLives

"I want an incredibly large voter registration turnout. ... I want people who don't understand what we're feeling to come away from this thinking, 'I might understand this.' pic.twitter.com/kOQ1pAQlpH

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 24, 2018

▪️ Washington, D.C.
▪️ New York City
▪️ London
▪️ Amsterdam
▪️ Houston
▪️ Raleigh
Over 800 cities around the globe are beginning to line up for #MarchforOurLives https://t.co/p4H4WMEyWJ pic.twitter.com/c1f5BFeQ5e

— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 24, 2018

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student at Parkland #MarchForOurLives rally: "Those 17 people did not die in vain...we will stop at nothing until we make real, lasting change." https://t.co/remN5zo2uI pic.twitter.com/tz59Wu9mye

— ABC News (@ABC) March 24, 2018

As seen from the @Newseum, people fill Pennsylvania Avenue during the #MarchForOurLives rally in support of gun control in Washington, Saturday, March 24, 2018. https://t.co/KpOnezljw1 pic.twitter.com/ZmeRAohJHD

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 24, 2018

Today, we #MarchForOurLives and join millions of Americans in pledging to vote for candidates who support common-sense gun safety laws. Text “HONOR THEM” to 30644 to say enough is enough. pic.twitter.com/RVOp9H4ntJ

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) March 24, 2018