Richard Castaldo
Richard Castaldo is one of the most well-known figures among the survivors of the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999. Severely injured during the attack, he was left paralyzed from the waist down, a condition that has deeply impacted his life and his subsequent career as an activist. He has become a public voice in the debate on gun violence in the United States, participating in numerous interviews and documentaries, including Michael Moore's acclaimed film *Bowling for Columbine* (2002). Although initially a supporter of stricter gun control, over the years he has developed a more complex perspective on the subject. For his courage and resilience, along with other students and faculty, he received the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 1999 ESPY Awards. His testimony continues to be an important contribution to the collective memory of the tragedy and to the discussions about its causes and consequences.
