George and Amal Clooney donate $500K to March for Our Lives

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- George and Amal Clooney have donated $500,000 in support of stricter gun control.

The 56-year-old actor and 40-year-old barrister gave the sum to the upcoming March for Our Lives event that will take place March 24 in Washington, D.C. The couple donated in the name of their 8-month-old twins, Ella and Alexander.

"Amal and I are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women" from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, George Clooney said in a statement to People.

The Clooneys will attend the march alongside survivors of the school shooting that left 17 dead Feb. 14 in Parkland, Fla. Five students organized the rally in collaboration with Everytown for Gun Safety, according to Variety.

"Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country, and in the name of our children Ella and Alexander, we're donating $500,000 to help pay for this groundbreaking event," George Clooney said. "Our children's lives depend on it."

After the Clooneys announced their donation, Oprah Winfrey said she'd join the effort with a matching contribution.

"George and Amal, I couldn't agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to 'March For Our Lives,'" she tweeted. "These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we've had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard."

Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Zendaya are among the other celebrities who have voiced support for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students and March for Our Lives. Lady Gaga called the survivors "true role models" in a tweet Monday.

"I'm speechless at their courage," the 31-year-old singer wrote. "And so proud that these kids and young adults are our future. #GunControl #ParklandStudents The question now is will our leaders listen."

Bieber also took to Twitter to praise survivor Cameron Kasky, who helped organize the march.

"Cameron good talking to you last night. All of your bravery is amazing. I stand with you guys. #march24 #marchforourlives," he wrote.