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Young protesters throughout history are at the helm of change

Students are planning national school walks-out and protests, demanding gun legislation reform. How strong is their voice and their desperation to be heard? Very.

Students from around the country, horrified by last week's school massacre at a Florida high school, are mobilizing through social media. They're planning national school walks-out and protests, demanding gun legislation reform.

How strong is their voice and their desperation to be heard? Very.

History proves young people are at the helm of movements that lead to social and legal changes.

Community activist Johnny Mata says the rallies happening right now remind him of his fight for social and legal reforms back in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mata is a Vietnam veteran, as was 23-year-old Joe Campos Torres, a Mexican-American beaten and killed by Houston police officers after being arrested for disorderly conduct following a night out of drinking in 1977. Torres was taken to a secluded area of Buffalo Bayou, assaulted and tossed into the water where he drowned. His body was discovered several days later.

The case sparked outrage throughout the Hispanic community, both locally and nationally, and led to the infamous Moody Park riots.

"People were in the street protesting for justice. It was an outcry for justice," Mata said.

Protestors were credited with prompting the Houston Police Department and other departments in the region with forming community relations and Internal Affairs Departments.

Mata said he is inspired and encouraged by the determination of young protestors Thursday.

"I think what they're doing is historical. I applaud them and I expect great things to come," he said.

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