Hundreds of bereaved family members turned out in pouring rain and marched on the White House on Saturday, demanding action in the name of loved ones who died from fentanyl.
The forecast called for thundershowers, but rallygoers said they were the ones bringing the storm when they gathered on the National Mall for the third annual Lost Voices of Fentanyl event.
Tears mingled with rain as people lined up banners displaying the faces and “forever” ages of those who died. From the stage, speakers called for more public awareness and changes in government policies to address a crisis responsible for tens of thousands of American deaths each year.
The group formed into a column midafternoon and marched up the street to the fence in front of the White House, waving signs and chanting anti-fentanyl slogans.
Jeri Horton of Plano made the trip to act as a voice for her 23-year-old daughter Jessie Williams, who died of fentanyl two years ago.
“They want their voices to be heard and they want their children’s lives to matter,” Horton said as she surveyed the crowd in front of the White House. “They don’t want their death to be in vain. They want something done.”
