Reacting to tragedy with action and compassion

Sonya Lewis, MD, MPH

In the immediate aftermath of mass shootings, the media is typically quick to share information about the number of people who have been physically injured or killed. However, efforts to quantify carnage inevitably fail to account for psychological bullet wounds that even the most highly skilled trauma surgeon cannot possibly repair. Survivors of gun violence, who often suffer in silence, experience profound emotional injuries that can last a lifetime. The recent deaths by suicide of Marjory Stoneman Douglas survivors Sydney Aiello, 19, and Calvin Desir, 16, and of neuroscientist, Dr. Jeremy Richman, whose 6 year old daughter Avielle was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, are stark reminders that the traumatic effects of gun violence reverberate long after the media’s spotlight fades. While we do not know the full extent to which these three survivors’ deaths were linked to their respective shootings, it is indisputably clear that the ugly, twisted tentacles of gun violence are aggressively and relentlessly cruel.

In 2017, nearly 40,000 people died from gunshots in the United States. When we consider the fact that from 1968 to the present day, more Americans have been killed by guns than the total number of Americans killed in all U.S. wars combined, we can begin to conceptualize gun violence as a form of national self-harm, as an expression of collective violence directed inward, as domestic warfare that we are steadfastly waging against ourselves. Recognizing that individuals who are exposed to gun violence share many similarities with those who have experienced military combat, we can start to comprehend why gun violence survivors may be vulnerable to psychological reactions such as despair, severe anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.

We do not need to live this way

Sensible gun reform can significantly reduce deaths and injuries. The following are just two examples of life saving legislation:

This past week’s sad news has been painful for many of us. Our grief is palpable. As we continue our advocacy by contacting our elected leaders and demanding that they support critical pieces of legislation, we must balance our social and political activism with conscious acts of gentleness and self-care. It is okay to take a step back, to breathe, to rest, and to turn to others for support, energy, and encouragement. We must remember to check in with one another, to reach out to our neighbors with love, and to remind ourselves that we are not traversing these troubled times alone. Through our actions and through our expressions of shared humanity and mutual compassion, we honor the lives and legacies of those we have lost. We are making a difference, repairing our damaged world together.

If you or a loved one are experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide, please reach out to friends, family, or professionals. Help is available and help is effective. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at (800) 273-TALK (8255)

Michigan Resistance Calling Parties

This week we will urge Michigan State Representatives to help stop mass shootings by supporting the "red flag" laws. Hosts are needed for calling parties. Monday evenings and Tuesday afternoons. Contact Ginger Kinney at [email protected] .

Voters Not Politicians Democracy Reform Town Halls

Join Voters Not Politicians at a Democracy Reform Town Hall to learn more about Michigan’s new redistricting process and how you can participate. The group will also discuss other critical democracy reform issues to strengthen the democratic process through citizen action.

Thursday, March 28. Washtenaw Community College Climate Summit

The Summit will help you get the facts about the problem and potential mitigation strategies. The last session, held this evening (March 28), will take place in the MLB Towsley Auditorium and will focus on the problems of climate change and how city peer-to-peer learning networks and university/city partnerships are fostering innovation in climate mitigation and adaptation. Climate change activism will also be discussed. 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor. 5:30–7:30 pm

Thursday, March 28. Taylor Democratic Club Monthly Mtg

23400 Wick Rd, Taylor . 8–9 pm

Friday, March 29. Poor People’s Campaign Weekly Meeting

B-24’s Espresso Bar Eats and Entertainment, 217 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti . 2:30–3:30 pm

Sunday, March 31. Write postcards with Postcards for America

Panera Bread, 903 W. Eisenhower Pkwy, Ann Arbor, 2 pm

Sunday, March 31. Mending the Gap - Why do so many people feel left behind?

The program will feature Sister Simone Campbell Nuns on the Bus and Executive Director of NETWORK. Reception to follow the program. Funds benefit the RESULTS Educational Fund and its work to end poverty. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

Tickets: $20 general admission, $5 students. Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 423 S. 4th Ave, Ann Arbor. Doors open at 2 pm. Program starts at 2:30 pm

Sunday, March 31. Voters Not Politicians Town Hall- Ypsilanti

In 2018, Michigan voters and Voters Not Politicians made history by passing a redistricting reform amendment with 61% of the vote to end gerrymandering. Recently, the founder and executive director of Voters Not Politicians spoke at our PEG Speaker Series, sharing with us the struggles and triumphs that come with the building of a grassroots movement.

This talk taught us that no idea is too big to tackle and that every person has something to offer, whether it is volunteering an hour a week or using their obscure hobby as a woodcrafter to craft hundreds of specialized clipboards for your volunteers (a real story from Katie!). The most unlikely people can be your saving grace, especially when the odds are stacked against you. Katie and VNP valued the voices of the citizens of Michigan, Democrat or Republican, who believed that “Voters should choose politicians, not the other way around.” VNP has inspired Americans all over the country to take action on gerrymandering in their state, and it all started with a simple Facebook post, which has transformed into an extremely successful movement. Katie has certainly inspired us, too. Couldn't make it on Sunday? Check out the video below and pictures on the PEG website. Want to get involved? Come to one of the upcoming town halls. The next one is on Sunday, March 31. The group will also discuss other critical democracy reform issues to strengthen the democratic process through citizen action in Michigan.

Admission is free, and all Michiganders are welcome (including young ones). SPACE IS LIMITED, so please RSVP. Click here to RSVP. Ypsilanti Senior Center, 1015 N Congress St,Ypsilanti . 2–3:30 pm

Monday, April 1. Reclaim Our American Democracy monthly meeting

All are welcome and are encouraged to join and fight the big and dark money in politics.

There will be several guests from allied activist groups in the area who will share their experiences. Pittsfield Township Hall, 6201 W Michigan Ave, Ann Arbor . Enter from the rear door on east of the building. 7:30 pm

Saturday, April 6. Washtenaw County Dems general membership meeting

Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to a local food bank. Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center, 4135 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor. 9:30 am–noon

Sunday, April 7. UM College Dems Pancake Breakfast

The University of Michigan College Dems group invites you to their 14th annual pancake dinner and fundraiser, in the company of Representative Debbie Dingell. Ticket prices for community members are $15 per person and $25 per couple and may be purchased at the door. Student tickets are $5, and kids 12 and under are free. They encourage everyone to consider a sponsorship level of support as well. Sponsors will be listed in the event program and will receive recognition for their generous donation at the event. Feel free to visit their website if you would like to donate but cannot attend the breakfast. Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E Washington St, Ann Arbor . 10 am–noon

Monday, April 8. Dearborn Heights Dems Monthly Meeting

Canfield Community Center, 1901 N. Beech Daily Rd, Dearborn Heights . 7–8 pm

Tuesday, April 9. Michigan United’s Capitol Day

Capitol Day is Michigan United's biggest show of strength of the year. Members come in from all over the state to hear the latest updates on the group's campaigns in a big rally right before lunch. To learn more about this event, click here . Lansing Center , 333 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing . 8:50 am–1:50 pm

Wednesday, April 10. Wyandotte Dems Monthly Meeting

Copeland Center, 2306 4th St, Wyandotte . 7–8 pm

Thursday, April 11. A path for a prosperous Michigan: a 21st century agenda

Lou Glazer of MichiganFuture will facilitate a discussion of this program to explore how Michigan can grow a broad middle class again. Related research can be found at www.michiganfuture.org . Christ Episcopal Church, 120 N. Military St, Dearborn . 7 pm

Thursday, April 11. 12th District Dems Monthly Meeting

Email [email protected] with questions. UAW, 9650 S. Telegraph Rd, Taylor . 7–8 pm

Check out the PEG Events Calendar for even more events!

Tell Congress to put Net Neutrality back on the agenda

Congress has introduced the Save the Internet Act of 2019 to bring back the Obama-era rules preventing service providers from manipulating the speed and content of what consumers can see. These rules were repealed by the FCC in 2017. The FCC’s repeal of Net neutrality was overruled by the Senate under the Congressional Review Act, but the House of Representatives did not take up the issue. Let’s remind our MoCs that at the time of the FCC repeal, 83% of Americans, including 75% of Republicans, supported net neutrality rules . Read more here .  

The Save the Internet Act would reinstate 2015 rules:

Net Neutrality means an Internet service provider (ISP) has to treat all traffic the same. Open networks allow information to flow freely and more people to be connected, which helps innovation and ultimately economic growth.

In 2004 FCC Chair Michael K. Powell said, “If we secure a reasonable balance between the needs of network providers and internet freedom, consumers will reap the benefits of broadband without intrusive regulation, while preserving industry’s incentives to deploy more high-speed broadband platforms.”

Consumers are entitled to these “Internet Freedoms:

“Net Freedom” will:

US official reveals Atlantic drilling plan while hailing Trump’s ability to distract

Tell your state and federal representatives to oppose all efforts to open any federal waters to the fossil fuel industry. Joe Balash, Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior, has said that the Trump Administration intends to open up undeveloped federal waters to oil and gas drilling, despite fierce opposition from coastal residents, politicians and environmental groups. Read more here at The Guardian . Contact the Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington DC 20240 or (202) 208-3100 (with employee directory).

Help unaccompanied children get a bit of justice

A new senate bill, named Fair Day in Court for Kids Act ( S. 662 ), was introduced last week by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and 20 other senators. The AAP -supported bill would ensure that no unaccompanied child is forced to represent herself in immigration court, requiring that they are provided with legal counsel at the government's expense and no cost to the child. Roughly 50% of unaccompanied children have no one to represent them in immigration court even though children seeking asylum in the U.S. are five times more likely to succeed when represented by counsel. Please ask your senator to co-sponsor and support this bill.

Send letters to Democratic-leaning Wisconsin voters to urge them to vote

Sign up here. There’s a special election on April 2, 2019, in Wisconsin for a seat on the state’s Supreme Court. Let’s help Lisa Neubauer, who is currently Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, defeat Brian Hagedorn, former chief legal counsel to Wisconsin’s infamous Republican Governor Scott Walker, and start shifting the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a more progressive direction. More info here. - Vote Forward

Trump proposes cutting Great Lakes funding by 90%

In fiscal year 2020 budget request, Trump suggested cutting federal spending for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative from its current level of $300 million to just $30 million. Read more here. - Michigan Advance

Opinion: Getting rid of the electoral college isn’t just about Trump

Without the Electoral College, neither Trump nor his Republican predecessor George W. Bush would have won the White House on their first go-round. Read more here. - The New York Times

Reflection: Complex nature of Morris Dees, head of Southern Poverty Law Center

Long time writer for SPLC dishes on his experiences. “Considering whether to explain what an unsettling experience it could be, I’ll add, ‘It’s complicated, though,’ and try to change the subject.” Read more here. - The New Yorker

Applications to be on Commission to stop Gerrymandering available in late 2019

The Michigan Secretary of State has announced the Citizens Redistricting Commission, which was created because of the passing of Proposal 2 in November 2018. The Commission will be made up of 13 Michigan registered voters: 4 who self-identify as Democrats, 4 who self-identify as Republicans and 5 who self-identify as unaffiliated with either of those political parties. Applications to be a part of this commission will be available in late 2019. For more info, check out the Citizen's Guide or RedistrictingMichigan.org .

Sign up to receive an application for the redistricting commission when they become available.

Supreme Court ruled against immigrants in Preap v. Nielsen detention case

By Bette Cotzin

In a 5-4 decision last week, the Supreme Court ruled against a group of immigrants in a case about the government’s power to detain them after they’ve committed a crime but finished their sentences. According to   NBC News ,  “ The court's conservative justices sided with the Trump administration, which argued as the Obama administration did, against hearings for those convicted of crimes and affected by the law.” According to   Vox News ,  there is a question as to whether  mandatory detention applies years after the crime. The liberal members of the court are concerned that thousands of people with roots in the US might be whisked away by ICE for months or years with no court hearing.

Click here to check out the voting records of the Democratic and Republican Parties.

• California’s moratorium on the death penalty: a bellwether for the rest of

the nation? In their article in the Atlantic, Carol S. Steiker and Jordan M. Steiker are optimistic about the staying power of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s moratorium on the death penalty, predicting this might be a harbinger of national laws to come.

• Send a thank you note to Edward Stack,  CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods for ending gun sales in 125 stores, one year after ending the sale of assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines. Address: Dick’s Sporting Goods, 345 Court Street, Coraopolis, PA, 15108

• The House Judiciary Committee   passes the VAWA Reauthorization Bill   (H.R. 1585) out of committee and includes provisions that would strengthen   protections for Native women

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Thanks to Newsletter contributors: Roger Rayle , Bernie Banet, Leslie McGraw, Jim Morgenstern, Ellen K. Halter, Sonya Lewis, Bette Cotzin, Alexa Cooley, Susan Ayer, and Chuck Newman for their help preparing this newsletter. Write us at [email protected] if you would like help create our weekly newsletter. It’s fun and no ongoing commitment is required.

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