Some of Hollywood’s biggest names opened their wallets this week in support of students in Parkland, Fla., and their call for meaningful gun control, offering up thousands of dollars in support of marches planned in Washington and across the country next month.
George and Amal Clooney on Tuesday issued a statement in support of students from Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 people died in a mass shooting on Valentine’s Day. Many students from the school have responded by calling on elected officials to take steps to prevent future shootings.
A March for Our Lives is planned in Washington, D.C., and cities across the country on March 24 in support of students “to demand that their lives and safety become a priority.” The Los Angeles event is expected to be held at Pershing Square.
“Amal and I are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women from Stoneman Douglas High School,” George Clooney said. “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, and in the name of our children Ella and Alexander, we’re donating $500,000 to help pay for this groundbreaking event. Our children’s lives depend on it.”
Oscar-winning director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, later matched that donation, pledging another $500,000.
“The young students in Florida and now across the country are already demonstrating their leadership with a confidence and maturity that belies their ages,” Spielberg said. “Kate and I applaud their efforts to take a stand for the benefit of this and future generations.”
Jeffrey Katzenberg, the former Walt Disney Co. and DreamWorks Animation chief, also announced a $500,000 donation in conjunction with his wife, Marilyn. Oprah Winfrey also offered up $500,000.
“These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we’ve had enough and our voices will be heard,” Winfrey wrote on her Twitter page.
