March 5, 2019 | Photos by Sean Flynn

Parkland Shooting Survivor David Hogg Speaks at UConn

David Hogg, who survived the 2018 Parkland School shooting, discussed gun violence and youth activism as part of this spring's Metanoia.

David Hogg listens to a question from Sawyer McCrabb ’19 (CLAS) during a Q&A session at the Student Union Theatre on March 4. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

Just over a year since a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 students and staff and injuring 17 others, survivor-activist David Hogg spoke at UConn about gun violence and youth activism.

Hogg, who helped organize the March for Our Lives after the deadly shooting, urged young people to make their voices heard, to vote, and to focus on changing systems, rather than personalities, to build a future free of gun violence .

The event, held Monday, was part of UConn’s spring 2019 Metanoia, titled Youth for Change.

Each year, UConn convenes a Metanoia around an important issue of our time. This year’s focus is on the process of change itself, and involves discussion of the most pressing issues facing young people today, as well as a set of workshops on how youth can effectively act to change the world.

“Youth for Change” is sponsored by the Office of the President, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), and the Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG).

The Metanoia committee is co-chaired by Wanjiku Gatheru ’20 (CAHNR), USG vice president and environmental studies major, and Chris Vials, director of American studies and associate professor of English.