First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the nation Saturday to express outrage over the April 15 abduction of over 300 Nigerian girls by the Boko Haram terrorist organization.
“This unconscionable act was committed by a terrorist group determined to keep these girls from getting an education — grown men attempting to snuff out the aspirations of young girls,” she said.
Having two daughters, Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12, the First Lady said she feels personally affected by this violent crime. “In these girls, Barack and I see our own daughters. We see their hopes, their dreams and we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now.”
The Nigerian government has yet to rescue the girls almost a month after the kidnappings and Mrs. Obama urges the nation to pray for the safe return of the girls.
“Let us hold their families in our hearts during this very difficult time, and let us show just a fraction of their courage in fighting to give every girl on this planet the education that is her birthright.”
The address comes only days after the First Lady took to social media to tweet a photo of herself in the White House where she holds a sign that reads “#BringBackOurGirls.”