Here are the best pictures from National School Walkout Day to remind you the future is pretty damn bright

Students all across the country took to the streets, fields and sidewalks today to protest the epidemic of gun violence in schools that's already claimed at least 27 lives this year and my god, it is genuinely inspiring.

The entire #nationalschoolwalkout movement is basically the opposite of those 'If Hillary Had Won, I'd Be At Brunch Right Now' signs — students aren't lamenting, they're demanding because they know their lives might just depend on it.

Here are a few of the best pictures — of signs, of students organizing and rising up — we found from today's protests. They say it all better than my quippy intro ever could.

This grade-A purposeful meme

This black boy looking forward to the future

This acrostic poet in Chevy Chase, Maryland

This student who's rocking a customized jacket

This student who can't wait to exercise his voting rights

These New York City students, who would rather be worried about other shit

Justin Blackman, who was brave enough to walk out alone

These t-shirts designed by students in Philadelphia

The way this school in Maine honored Parkland shooting victims

These students in Dearborn Heights, Michigan who formed a human hashtag

This student, who noticed that women's bodies are often more policed than literal weapons

These students in Chicago who want to get back to work

These Exeter students writing entire paragraphs

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@k80way