Guns are now the leading cause of death for children in the U.S.
Glendora Forward mourns the deaths of 19 small children and their two heroic teachers murdered in Uvalde, Texas. Like many parents and US citizens, we have had enough.
Guns are now the leading cause of death for children in our country. The rampage at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School is the second largest mass shooting since Sandy Hook. Our political leaders are more concerned with gun rights than the lives of Americans. Pro-gun politicians are gaslighting us, insisting that guns aren’t the issue.
The science is clear: Gun control saves lives. This is a public health crisis. Schools, places of worship, and grocery stores should all be safe places.
There are no words to adequately express the pain, sadness, fear, and anger we are collectively feeling. We extend our deepest condolences to all those impacted by the all too common and preventable gun violence that’s running rampant in America.
During this dark time, we wanted to share some actionable items and resources with you.
Credit: Ben & Jerry’s
We must resist the urge to think that politics is so broken there is nothing we can do. We must refuse to become numb to this reality and demand our leaders respond to us, the people, rather than the gun lobby. We can take common sense steps that will absolutely save lives. No one thing will stop all gun violence but there are many things we can do to save lives. Here are four easy things you can do:
1. Contact your congressperson and demand action to stop gun violence. You can start by demanding they immediately pass a ban on assault style military weapons and high-capacity magazines. https://takeaction.sandyhookpromise.org/a/2022-buffalo-action
2. Join the second March for Our Lives mass mobilization in Washington, DC or your local community on June 11th: https://marchforourlives.com/march22/Opens a new window
3. Get informed. Learn and share which senators received the most money from the gun lobby on social media: https://elections.bradyunited.org/take-action/nra-donations-116th-congress-senatorsOpens a new window
4. Use that information to pledge to vote against any elected official who takes money from the gun lobby and blocks common sense gun reform.
Tips for discussing the tragedy with children:
Talking with children about difficult things in the news (Fred Rogers Institute)
Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth After the Recent Shooting (The National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
Helping Children Cope with Frightening News (Child Mind Institute)
Coping in the Aftermath of a Shooting (American Counseling Association)
15 Tips for Talking with Children about Violence (Colorín Colorado)
If you need help with a mental health emergency:
Call 911 or and request a Crisis Intervention Trained (C.I.T.) response
Go to the closest emergency room for support
Text “Hello” or “Home” to 741741 to connect with support
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
English: 800-273-TALK
Español: 888-628-9454
TTYY: 800-799-4889
Online chat: suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Trevor Lifeline LGBTQQ+ Crisis Support: 1-866-488-7386
In solidarity,
Glendora Forward
