During a break in the Senate confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee, Fred Guttenberg—the father of 14-year-old murdered Marjory Stoneman Douglas student, Jaime—approached Brett Kavanaugh. Cameras captured audio of Guttenberg introducing himself and attempting to shake Kavanaugh's hand.
Without a response, SCOTUS nominee Kavanaugh refuses the handshake, turns his back on Guttenberg and walks away.
News of Kavanaugh's deliberate snub of Guttenberg—despite hearing who he was and why he was there—spread on social media, complete with video footage capturing Kavanaugh's reaction.
Just walked up to Judge Kavanaugh as morning session ended. Put out my hand to introduce myself as Jaime Guttenber… https://t.co/OhU9rlYRec— Fred Guttenberg (@Fred Guttenberg) 1536080589.0
Watch this. Then watch it again. And then re-read all the puff pieces about how Brett Kavanaugh is “so nice”. H… https://t.co/errB56pNYy— Nathan H. Rubin (@Nathan H. Rubin) 1536094032.0
Wow, here you can hear @fred_guttenberg telling Kavanaugh that his daughter "was murdered in Parkland," and Kavanau… https://t.co/0JEgAueg47— Tommy X-TrumpIsARacist-opher (@Tommy X-TrumpIsARacist-opher) 1536084394.0
But shared trauma can form a strong bond and Kavanaugh's snub hurt more than just Fred Guttenberg and the memory of his daughter Jaime. Other students who survived the mass shooting at the Parkland, Florida, high school quickly shared their outrage over the treatment of the father of their friend and classmate.
The mass shooter entered the freshman wing of the school. Lauren Hogg—also 14 and a freshman at the time of the shooting—lost four friends to gun violence on Valentine's Day, 2018. Jaime Guttenberg was among them.
Since their murders, Hogg joined other Parkland survivors to advocate sensible gun control. She took to Twitter to express her feelings about the Kavanaugh snub of Guttenberg.
Wow literal proof that our politicians could care less about protecting this nations citizens from gun violence. B… https://t.co/QARv73ljr7— Lauren Hogg (@Lauren Hogg) 1536087803.0
This photo is an exact representation of how politicians treat gun violence in this country. They know it exists… https://t.co/3JYGxo1tiM— Lauren Hogg (@Lauren Hogg) 1536089307.0
Emma Gonzalez, a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas when the shooting occurred also took to Twitter to defend Guttenberg. And comment on Brett Kavanaugh's manners.
Fred Guttenberg is one of the most wonderful people I know. Mr. Kavanaugh, 4 year olds have better manners than yo… https://t.co/aG8bYGbX1y— Emma González (@Emma González) 1536093817.0
Other alumni, like Matt Deitsch, and survivors, like Jaclyn Corin and David Hogg shared their feelings on social media as well...
Look at this picture. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was slaughtered by a man who legally owned an AR-15, extends… https://t.co/8qJ8T8vJeo— Matt Deitsch (@Matt Deitsch) 1536086716.0
Jaime deserves better. #BlockKavanaugh https://t.co/SrUgYyFlxb— Jaclyn Corin (@Jaclyn Corin) 1536085110.0
Judges are supposed to listen and respond with moral justice. Walking away from the victims of gun violence is an… https://t.co/h4SaFABe79— David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954 (@David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954) 1536085992.0
...and suggested people call their Senators to speak out about Kavanaugh's snub. Several people also noted the National Rifle Association's (NRA) vow to get Kavanaugh approved.
Most pictures are worth a thousand words... This picture is worth thousands of lives call your senators now and te… https://t.co/htsCnPatgu— David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954 (@David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954) 1536086656.0
Don’t just tweet: Call your senators especially -Murkowski of Alaska at 2022246665 & -Collins of Maine at 20222… https://t.co/Gg4d8ZWN3D— David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954 (@David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954) 1536097346.0
Other activists joined the Parkland survivors in solidarity.
Like Igor Volsky, Executive Director at Guns Down America...
AUG: @NRA says it'll spend at least $1 million on TV ads urging the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh. SEP: Kavanaug… https://t.co/d9Kc9Vp6zc— igorvolsky (@igorvolsky) 1536086785.0
...Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action...
Brett Kavanaugh, a potential Supreme Court justice, refused to shake the hand of @fred_guttenberg, whose daughter J… https://t.co/ptaMb7fTqJ— Shannon Watts (@Shannon Watts) 1536085270.0
...and activist and actress, Alyssa Milano.
Here is the video of Kavanaugh choosing to not shake hands with @fred_guttenberg. Disgraceful. #STOPKavanaugh https://t.co/Pp2uqATka9— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa Milano) 1536089725.0
Others offered support for Guttenberg and disgust at Kavanaugh's actions.
We know Fred Guttenberg. We met him when we went to Parkland to help after the shooting. He is a strong + kind man.… https://t.co/CoX7Zbd5z9— Diesel Dogs (Therapy Dogs) (@Diesel Dogs (Therapy Dogs)) 1536100687.0
After stories circulated that Guttenberg crashed the hearing and the White House offered an alternate version of events...
That's Bullshit. There's video evidence of what happened. When you tell a lie enough times it becomes propagan… https://t.co/1eggI2yG4z— David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954 (@David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954) 1536101613.0
...Guttenberg clarified that he was an invited guest at the hearing.
To be clear, I was invited by Senator Feinstein to attend today. Anyone who knows me knows I will talk to anyone.… https://t.co/Rqfu5PJ8CH— Fred Guttenberg (@Fred Guttenberg) 1536100501.0