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Seven Years Since Parkland
Seven years ago today, a gunman stormed into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, unleashing unimaginable horror. Seventeen lives were stolen. Seventeen more were injured, scarred forever. In just minutes, 139 shots turned classrooms into war zones, and a day of love—February 14th—became a day of mourning. Parkland, FL, became another name in a long, tragic list of communities devastated by our country’s failure to end gun violence.
Today we remember those young, bright students and the dedicated teachers and staff who lost their lives. We think of them—and their families—whose tears have never dried and who still struggle with the pain and heartache of losing their loved ones.
Since that tragic day, there have been 189 more school shootings. 189 more shattered communities. One hundred eighty-nine more times, we have been told to accept the unacceptable. Each time, we hear the same empty promises, the same "thoughts and prayers" from leaders who lack the courage to take action.
Progress has been achieved over the last couple of years to end gun violence with the Bipartisan Safer Community Act. But that is not enough. Change is possible when leaders put lives above politics. Now, however, Trump is threatening to undo the very policies that have saved lives.
We refuse to stand by as more families are broken, more lives are lost, and more communities are forever changed by senseless violence. We owe it to those who died on that Thursday afternoon at Marjory Stoneman Douglas — just like we owe it to the victims of Highland Park, Sandy Hook, Pulse Nightclub, Uvalde, and every tragedy before and since.
Next month, JAC will travel to Washington, DC, to meet with elected officials during our annual policy conference to demand action. We will be the voices for those who have been silenced by gunfire. We will remind our lawmakers that behind every statistic is a stolen life, a grieving family, and a community that will never be the same.
Join us in Washington, DC. Click here.
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