Parkland parents vote in first election since becoming US citizens

The parents of a student killed during February’s school shooting in Parkland, Fla., on Tuesday voted in their first election since becoming U.S. citizens.

Manuel and Patricia Oliver’s son, Joaquin “Guac” Oliver, was one of 17 people killed inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine’s Day.

Originally from Venezuela, the Olivers became U.S. citizens just 24 days before their son was killed in the school shooting, CNN reported.

{mosads}Manuel Oliver said he was “mad” because his son would have been 18 and would have voted for the first time too.

“We are leading a fight in my son’s honor,” Manuel Oliver said, according to CNN. “I am sad but needed to make my voice active (and) make these politicians accountable.” 

He encouraged other Latinos to get out an vote.

“You are not criminals and you can make a change. We have the opportunity to do that by voting,” Manuel Oliver said.

They rode a motorcycle to their polling location on a motorcycle and led a caravan of voters to the polls.

Manuel and Patricia Oliver lead a caravan of voters to the polls on top a motorcycle. Both from Venezuela, it’s their first time voting. @nowthisnews @ChangeTheRef pic.twitter.com/8TzBARJW8j

— Maddie Ptacin (@maddieptacin) November 6, 2018

Manuel Oliver was seen embracing Fred Guttenberg, another father who lost his 14-year-old daughter Jaime Guttenberg during the shooting.

Parkland dad @fred_guttenberg embraces Parkland dad Manuel Oliver @ChangeTheRef. Oliver is riding to the polls on a motorcycle and a caravan of at least a dozen cars are riding with him. These dads have been fighting nonstop since their children were murdered nearly 9 months ago. pic.twitter.com/cK5g4HM0m2

— Lois Beckett (@loisbeckett) November 6, 2018

Manuel Oliver has made several art installations in the wake of the Parkland shooting to protest gun violence, including depicting President Trump as a ringleader of a circus outside the annual National Rifle Association convention in May. 

He unveiled a life-size, 3D-printed sculpture of his son in Times Square earlier this month to protest the legality of 3D-printed guns.

The father also placed a bulletproof vest on the “Fearless Girl” statue in New York on Friday to protest mass shootings in America.