Social media, free rides play big role in student march Saturday

Eve Harclerode of Sutton Middle School, snaps a photo to send out on social media of one of the signs students made for the March for Our Lives at the Central Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Eve Harclerode of Sutton Middle School, snaps a photo to send out on social media of one of the signs students made for the March for Our Lives at the Central Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

With high school and college students leading the March For Our Lives march and rally Saturday, it’s no surprise that social media is playing a major role. Organizers and Atlanta police estimate thousands of young people and others will descend upon the state capital for the event.

Organizers have contacted cell service providers to make sure smartphones will have access during the event. AT&T has committed to extra portable cell towers.

Social media has helped drive the national marches in Atlanta, Washington and multiple other cities. Participants are using hashtags and other designators for staying in touch and showing their support. A special Snapchat filter will be accessible. And those sharing photos and videos will be using the hashtags #MFOLGeorgia, #WhyIMarch, #EnoughIsEnough, #EndGunViolence and #NeverAgain.

You can find out more about the Saturday march at MyAJC.com.

Getting to the demonstration that begins at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights near Olympic Centennial Park and ends at Liberty Plaza by the state Capitol is being made easier by a ride sharing company. Lyft has partnered with organizers to offer free rides.

How it works:

Participants can claim a free ride by sending an RSVP to the rally at www.marchforourlives.com/events.

On Friday, March 23, the company will distribute ride codes to those who RSVP’d through the website.

Or, ride codes will be available at www.lyft.com/MFOL starting Saturday morning. Those who receive one can enter it in the ‘promos’ tab of the Lyft app.