Parkland Victim Joaquin Oliver's Father Gives Moving Speech At Vigil

The father of Parkland victim Joaquin Oliver has a message for parents.

He stated, “My name is Manuel Oliver, this beautiful lady next to me is Patricia. And we were lucky enough to have Joaquin, sharing his beautiful life with us for 17 years. Last week, Joaquin somehow stopped being with us. That good morning coffee, that short trip to the school, it’s not anymore in our day-to-day.”

Joaquin moved to the U.S. when he was 3 years old. Born in Venezuela, he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in January 2017.

Oliver went on to say, “As I said, and somehow, it’s relief, we will be parents ‘til the day we die, not until the day they go. We are still here. We are going to be Joaquin “Guac” Oliver’s parents forever. And we are going to fight this battle until our last day. Me, Patricia, and any parent here — we, the parents. This is a beautiful city, this is a great nation. And, our kids, we, the parents will still need to take them to school next week, and next month. How do we feel about that? I am wearing Joaquin’s shoes, since day one. Since last week. I want to see how it feels for them. For your kids. To go to school next week.”

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