Meet the revolutionary Maryland-based voice of the ‘lockdown generation’

By Cyan Thomas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer

Generation Z, or people born between 1997 and 2012, also has been dubbed “Generation Lockdown” by political activists because of the frequent school shootings erupting around the United States.

The tragedies have spurred Sarah Fishkind to take action while others wring their hands, shudder in fear or silently accept the violence.

Fishkind is actively involved with March For Our Lives, a nonprofit devoted to ending gun violence in the country.

“We are the voices you can’t ignore,” says the March For Our Lives website. “We are the young people committed to ending gun violence in our schools, in our communities, in our nation.”

A Columbia native who attends Towson University, Fishkind points to the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida as the spark of her activism. The Parkland shooting, which occurred on Feb. 14, 2018, is currently the deadliest high school shooting in American history.

“I got into the gun prevention movement after Parkland happened, and I realized students can have that voice,” the 18-year-old says. “Gun violence has always been in the back of everyone’s mind, there’s just that constant fear.”

March For Our Lives has individual branches across the 50 states. Even though there are several chapters, the mission of power remains steadfast.

“Our power will keep up our movement despite the obstacles because we all deserve a safer, more peaceful America,” March For Our Lives says in its mission statement “Our Power.”

Fishkind helms the Maryland branch of the organization, which is largely run by students. To her, the youthful makeup only strengthens their message.

“People often don’t think young people are involved in politics because we’re too lazy or too busy with school,” Fishkind says. “It opens people’s eyes, especially legislators, to our power. Gun violence is something that affects youth mainly, and people that were survivors have those impactful stories.”

The students of March For Our Lives have met with adversity, but also have an overwhelming amount of support from the legislators they appeal to.

New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, a Democrat, has said “I remain inspired by the young leaders who’ve used the power of their voices to demand an end to gun violence in this country.”

With this organization gaining attention from powerful people, Fishkind has used her position to spread awareness for causes she believes in, whether they personally affect her or not.

“One of our biggest goals is to raise awareness about the gun violence epidemic we have in America,” the political science major said. “It’s really important to me and my group to raise awareness about how gun violence affects people of color.”

Fishkind, who is Jewish, also spends time with Towson Hillel working to combat antisemitism.

Despite her energetic activism and volunteer work, Fishkind insists that school comes first, always.

“I think a lot of activists have that difficulty,” Fishkind says about juggling many activities. “I keep time for my schoolwork and my activism work, and I know how much I can handle. I also split work with other people from my organization.”

While they are working with March For Our Lives, the students of the organization have no qualms about exercising their rights to assemble, protest and petition.

Fishkind’s go-to protest sign is “The power of the people is stronger than the people in power,” a slogan that aligns with her beliefs of why activism is so important.

“In America we live in a Democracy, and the people have a say in who we elect,” Fishkind says. “We can vote people out, we can lobby, we can have sit-ins, we can do anything in our power to get people out of office. The population of citizens outweighs politicians.”

Fishkind is pleased that the groundwork has finally been laid for a revolution, but she acknowledges there’s still much more work to be done. A movement like this is overdue, she insists.

“There have been black and brown citizens trying to start revolutions, but the media didn’t give them that platform,” Fishkind says. “After Parkland, when those kids who live in white suburban areas started speaking out, that’s when it started to gain media attention.”