Colbert: Students taking action on gun violence ‘give me hope’

CBS’s “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert on Tuesday praised the student survivors of last week’s school shooting in Parkland, Fla., for their push for legislation to curb gun violence.

“There is one group that does give me hope that we can do something to protect the children and sadly it’s the children. The students from Parkland, Fla.,” Colbert said. “These students saw their leaders doing nothing and said ‘hold my root beer.’ ”

Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have gained wide media coverage as they speak out for legislation to limit gun violence.

{mosads}

Colbert praised the students for organizing school walkouts and a march in D.C. scheduled for next month. He highlighted that the students went to Tallahassee, Fla., on Tuesday to “beg” lawmakers to reinstate the assault weapons ban only to see legislators vote against the bill.

“The adults aren’t cutting it anymore,” Colbert said.

“I hope these kids don’t give up because this is their lives and their future. Someone else might be in power but this country belongs to them. And there is reason for hope,” Colbert said.

The late-night host noted that change can come fast and emphasized the need for people to vote.

“Look at the Me Too movement. A lot of men in power did not see that coming but it proved that change can happen overnight and this is an election year,” he said.

Colbert, who was off the air during the week of the school shooting, also attacked Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) who he said, “completely abdicated responsibility” for curbing gun violence.

“Why do we need you?” Colbert asked. “It seems like a houseplant would do a better job and would probably need a little less water.”

The shooting in Parkland last week left 17 people dead and 14 others injured.