AKRON, Ohio - Hundreds of Akronites joined thousands of Americans on Saturday, hoisting hand-made signs and marching through city streets during March for Our Lives to promote changes in gun legislation.

March for Our Lives was launched by students in collaboration with the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety, after 17 people were killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida by expelled student Nikolas Cruz.

About 800 marches took place around the country today, according to the March for Our Lives website. Marchers are calling for:

banning the sale of assault weapons;

banning the sale of high-capacity magazines; and

closing a loophole in background-check law so dangerous people can't guns.

Akron's march was organized by young people from several area schools, including Firestone, St. Vincent-St. Mary and Cuyahoga Falls high school.

A Facebook page organizing the Akron event stated, "We cannot wait for politicians to take action against the school shootings that have become commonplace in the U.S. We won't stand by and let one more student or teacher be killed. Now is the time to take a stand!"

The group gathered at the Highland Square at 11 a.m. and after a series of speakers, all calling for gun reform, about 500 people stepped off going east on Market St. to downtown, where they headed right toward the Summit County Courthouse and Akron City Hall.

Demonstrators represented every age group, with the youngest in strollers, with a few carrying their own hand-made signs. During the march the crowd called out chants that echo other recent demonstrations, including "This is what democracy looks like, and "enough is enough."

Peace marshals in fluorescent vests kept pace, helping guide the crowd, while Akron Police directed traffic and kept the marchers moving steadily forward.

Following the march, several participants commented on Facebook, thanking the organizers and commending them on a well-organized event.

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