Barack Obama to student activists: 'We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs'

Jessica Estepa | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Barack Obama tweets 'We've got your backs' in support of Fla. students The Florida Parkland shooting survivors have a supporter in former President Barack Obama. Rob Smith (@robsmithonline) has all the details.

Former president Barack Obama on Thursday lauded the young people who are rallying for an end to gun violence.

A day after hundreds of students across the country walked out of class to demand safer schools, Obama expressed his support, saying it was inspiring to see "so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe, marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be."

"We've been waiting for you," he tweeted. "And we've got your backs."

Young people have helped lead all our great movements. How inspiring to see it again in so many smart, fearless students standing up for their right to be safe; marching and organizing to remake the world as it should be. We've been waiting for you. And we've got your backs. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 22, 2018

Also applauding the students: former first lady Michelle Obama, who said she was in "awe" of the Florida students.

I’m in total awe of the extraordinary students in Florida. Like every movement for progress in our history, gun reform will take unyielding courage and endurance. But @barackobama and I believe in you, we’re proud of you, and we’re behind you every step of the way. — Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) February 22, 2018

Since the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School left 17 people dead, the survivors have spoken out in outrage. Wednesday's nationwide walkouts were in solidarity with those students.

President Trump met with student survivors, parents and teachers at the White House on Wednesday, promising tougher background checks and mental health screens for gun buyers.

"It's not going to be talk like it has been in the past," Trump said. "It's been going on too long. Too many instances, and we're going to get it done."

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