Musical artists and celebrities joined forces with hundreds of thousands of young people in the nation's capital for the March for Our Lives protest.
The event calling for government action to curb gun violence was organized by high school students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where a gunman killed 17 people on Valentine's Day.
Singer Andra Day kicked off a string of powerful performances with her anthem “Rise Up.” Joining her on stage were students from Baltimore's Cardinal Shehan School. Day also teamed up with rapper Common for her song “Stand Up for Something.”
Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson were some of the celebs who took part in the event.
"Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda and "Dear Evan Hansen" star Ben Platt performed their new mashup song, "Found/Tonight." A portion of the song's proceeds is to go toward supporting March for Our Lives.
Miranda tweeted photos of himself and Platt backstage meeting student activists from Parkland.
Backstage at the March, with our future pic.twitter.com/fz8616MKY1
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 24, 2018
Marching and expressing support
George Clooney and his wife, humanitarian lawyer Amal Clooney, were among the many stars who took to the streets of D.C. in solidarity of the protest. The couple also made a $500,000 donation in the name of their twin children in support of the movement.
In a statement to ABC News before the event, Clooney wrote, "Amal and I are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women from Stoneman Douglas High School. Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country."
Singer Miley Cyrus tweeted about marching with "heroines" in the U.S. capital.
Surrounded by heroines! Lucky to be here at this moment in history with the ones I love! #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/xVF4sDVofh
— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) March 24, 2018
Kim Kardashian West also joined in the action in D.C. with husband Kanye West and daughter North, tweeting, "I hope North remembers this forever."
I’m so happy I got to share this moment with these two ???? . I hope North remembers this forever pic.twitter.com/wJRRAvW9tC
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) March 24, 2018
In New York, legendary singer Paul McCartney, whose Beatles bandmate John Lennon was shot and killed in 1980, marched in New York City, wearing a shirt with the words, “We can end gun violence.”
"Sex and the City" star Cynthia Nixon, who just announced her campaign to run for governor of New York, also hit the pavement with marchers in New York City, along with Billie Jean King.
Ran in to a group of fellow @BarnardCollege alumni today at the NY #MarchForOurLives. Incredibly moved at how many people came out today to stake a stand for our kids and demand action against gun violence. pic.twitter.com/EaYhfpLmbG
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) March 24, 2018
"Top Chef" star Padma Lakshmi marched with family members of Gina Montalto, one of 17 victims killed in the Parkland shooting.
#marchforourlives #RIPGina #MSDStrong pic.twitter.com/L7s6wCbNBX
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) March 24, 2018
In Los Angeles, "Big Little Lies" star Laura Dern marched arm-in-arm with activists wearing "We can end gun violence" T-shirts, and also took to the stage to introduce young people who made passionate pleas to end the violence.
Actress Alyssa Milano attended the L.A. rally with her family, where Molly Sims and Bette Midler were also spotted among the marchers.
Keep my babies safe. ??#MarchForOurLives #MarchForOurLivesLA pic.twitter.com/nwpmWEBCem
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) March 24, 2018
Lift your signs and raise your voices! #NeverAgain #MarchForOurLivesLA #MarchForOurLives @AMarch4OurLives pic.twitter.com/tRgumnMaH5
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) March 24, 2018
Lady Gaga marched with young people and called for an end to gun violence. "School is not a place where kids should go and feel afraid for their lives," Gaga said in the video. "They should go to feel safe, to learn and to grow and to become whatever they want to be in their future."
"Scandal" star Bellamy Young marched in Dallas and Sheryl Crow came out in Nashville.
#MarchForOurLives #Dallas #HamiltonLove #LetsDoThis ?????????????????? pic.twitter.com/8PIbAZLWUz
— Bellamy Young (@BellamyYoung) March 24, 2018
So proud to have marched in #Nashville today. Proud of the youth that started this movement. Proud of Nashville for showing up.
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) March 24, 2018
This is not a moment, it’s a movement. #MarchForOurLives @AMarch4OurLives pic.twitter.com/F7oWSgFQpD
"Frozen" star Josh Gad posted videos from the marches nationwide and as far as London.
We are done. From state to state, from sea to shining sea. The anger is real. The excuses are finished. A generation is rising. Our legislators should start looking for new jobs because we are going to #VoteThemOut #WeCallBS #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/g7PrNAK0JV
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 24, 2018
Many more stars voiced their support for March for Our Lives on social media, including Time's Up advocate Reese Witherspoon, Rose McGowan, Harry Styles, LeBron James, Zoe Saldana, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Justin Timberlake and others.
Here are some star-studded social media posts in support of March for Our Lives and its student leaders:
I’ll always stand for open dialogue and action - it’s the only way to ensure bad history doesn’t repeat itself. When it comes to protecting our children, all bets are off and the responsibility lies with us adults and lawmakers to listen and do. Very strong day. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/4gJ0QKdMYw
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 24, 2018
#MarchForOurLives Salute the youth making a REAL impact!! ????
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 24, 2018
We say, No More! https://t.co/AIZU9p0ikD
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) March 24, 2018
What are we made of?
— Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) March 24, 2018
What do we tolerate? How can we act? When is enough? What will the children do when they grow up? Do you want them to have what you never had? Do you want them to be safe? What are you made of? When will you fight? When will you join us?#MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/WOvhqVBEPr
Today our nation's youth are demanding their basic human right to go to school without dying in the name of greed. It's time for Congress to act like adults worthy of their office. PASS TOUGHER GUN LAWS! BAN THE AR-15! STOP TAKING NRA BLOOD MONEY! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! #neveragain pic.twitter.com/Hhg0Qltnjr
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) March 24, 2018
Justin Timberlake recorded a video with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser, prior to the event.
I’m so inspired by the #MarchForOurLives students out there owning their voices. We need to demand action. Get out there and join the march this Saturday — more info here: https://t.co/PviopFKjAo pic.twitter.com/7sQxjLUyQX
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) March 19, 2018
Proud of these kids pic.twitter.com/M796VNgWWV
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) March 20, 2018
Parkland Survivors and others that are standing up through the media are so brave and are true role models. I’m speechless at their courage. And so proud that these kids and young adults are our future. #GunControl #ParklandStudents The question now is will our leaders listen.
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 19, 2018
If you’re losing hope you are not doing enough. The NRA is not all powerful, they aren’t a God. We do well by listening and acting on behalf of our young people. Beauty, truth, strength, hope and faith are in their hearts. #WHATIF https://t.co/zgC0X57On1
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) February 27, 2018
We support you. #NationalWalkoutDay pic.twitter.com/dVr4wrOMSG
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 14, 2018
So proud of everyone behind this movement, and all those taking action today.
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) March 14, 2018
Our voices are getting louder!
We are being heard!
Change is coming!#NationalSchoolWalkout https://t.co/s21Ior8PVF
