Vigils for Parkland victims across the country took a moment for prayer and reflection Monday evening.
In Jacksonville, nearly 200 gathered on the steps of Bethel Baptist Church's historic wing. Mourners wearing red and gray in honor of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High's school colors held candles in solidarity.
GALLERY: Vigil held for Parkland shooting victims in Jacksonville
Children are more valuable than what side we're on," Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr. said. "Our children are more valuable than guns or no guns. Our children are our future."
Former Jacksonville mayor Alvin Brown said seeing the movement among young people in South Florida is encouraging.
"I support them 100 percent in taking a stand and getting those weapons off the street," Brown said. "We've had a lot of prayers, prayers are good but we need action. Congress needs to listen to the people and not the NRA."
High school student Isaiah Maass said this school shooting has impacted his life more than others. "Being close to home, we know some people in South Florida and just being in Florida in general brings it a lot closer to us. It's a little bit scary," Maass said.
He says he's not surprised at strong opinions coming from teenagers but he hopes criticism and negativity won't remain the focus.
"As children we want to have a stand in government, but it's important to let the people who are so focused on it do their jobs," Maas said. "I don't think we should attack those who are working hard to fix those problems."
Members of the community wrote messages to lawmakers after the vigil expressing calls to action in light of last week's mass shooting. Here are some excerpts from the letters:
As I hold a candle at a vigil for high school students and teachers, all I can think is...I shouldn't have to be here. I shouldn't have to hold a candle for a teenager who died getting an education. This is a problem that can be fixed.
How can you tell me [my daughter's] life is worth more than a gun?? Change the laws to protect my baby girl.
If we want to see change in gun violence, we would need to change the way guns are sold.
The letters will be forwarded to state and federal lawmakers by First Coast News on Tuesday.
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