Updated on May 25, 2018, at 6:00 p.m.:

Lauren French, the communications director for Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) and House Democrats, emailed Teen Vogue the following statement after the publication of this article.

“This internship program is open to students of all backgrounds who’ve been impacted by gun violence and was designed to be an inclusive opportunity. We hope the interns who come to Capitol Hill will reflect both the diversity of America and of the far too many communities who’ve experienced loss due to senseless gun violence.”

The statement — and parts of the original announcement — contradict what Symone D. Sanders wrote in a tweet critical of the announcement, saying she would ask House Democrats "that they consider an intern policy that incorporates the voices of kids who navigate their communities daily while under the threat of gun violence."

Previously...

Ever since the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February, Parkland students have been at the forefront of the nationwide conversation about gun violence. From March for Our Lives to the coordination of face-to-face meetings with students and state representatives in Town Hall for Our Lives — it’s become clear to lawmakers that these students aren’t slowing down. Now, according to NBC News, House Democrats want Parkland students to continue their gun control advocacy by interning in D.C.

NBC News reported that Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY), House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Linda Sanchez (D-CA), and Reps. Ted Deutch (D-FL) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) sent a letter to their Democratic colleagues Thursday encouraging members to open their offices to Parkland students.

A portion of the letter to their colleagues was released in a statement issued by House Democrats:

“We have all been impressed with the leadership and passion shown by students around the country on the issue of gun violence prevention. Through efforts like the March for Our Lives, students have been speaking up and demanding action on this issue like never before, and they are an inspiration to many of us,” wrote the lawmakers. “That is why we are encouraging Members to host an intern in their office this summer to work on the issue of gun violence prevention and bring their personal dedication to this issue.”

According to HuffPost, the lawmakers came up with the idea for the internship program after the Parkland shooting, but things “kicked into gear” after last week’s school shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas.

Crowley told NBC News,“We think it would be a great experience for them to be on the Hill to see exactly how things operate — or doesn’t, to some degree — but also to have time with these very special young people that have experienced something that none of us ever want to have experienced and I think we can learn from each other.”

The move has been criticized by some, who see it as another example of the double standard around which young gun control activists are praised for their work.