The heartbreaking mass shooting that occurred this past weekend at Pulse, an Orlando nightclub has left the world reeling over a hate crime that took the lives of 50 young people.
Many celebrities and public figures took to their social platforms to convey their shock and send messages of peace and love. Everyone from Beyonce and John Legend, to Reese Witherspoon, Madonna and Hillary Clinton offered their condolences and prayers.
But the truth is, no amount of celebrity condolences or Martin Luther King Jr. quotes about making a difference or Rumi quotes about love posted on Instagram or Twitter will change the fact that another 50 people have been slaughtered at the hands of gun violence.
No matter your race, religion or sexual preference, 50 of your fellow HUMAN BEINGS were murdered in cold blood. Every day in America, 91 people are killed by gun violence (that’s more than 33,000 people a year.) Our country has the highest rate of gun murders in the world – and growing every day. We must enact gun reform and hold our politicians accountable.
Now is not the time to hide in the shadows or turn a blind eye. It’s not the time for complacency or the same old rhetoric. And it’s certainly not the time to post your condolences on social media and then go back to the status quo. Doing nothing about gun control is a choice we can no longer afford to make.
It’s time to take ACTION.
Here are three things you can do immediately:
1. Get involved with and donate to one or more of the following organizations:
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence: https://www.csgv.org
Everytown for Gun Safety: https://www.everytown.org
The Brady Campaign: https://www.bradycampaign.org
Violence Policy Center: https://www.vpc.org
Americans for Responsible Solutions: https://www.americansforresponsiblesolutions.org
2. Call and write your congress members and let them know that they WILL NOT have your money or your vote unless they support a bill to pass common sense gun laws. You can find an entire list of Senators, how they voted in December 2015 and a number to reach them at: https://www.everytown.org/senate-votes. You can also call the Capitol Hill switchboard directly at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected with your Senator.
3. The reality is that the action needs to happen at the state, municipal and community levels. Until the makeup of Congress is altered, the only way that we are going to achieve real gun reform is state by state. Support organizations at your community level that are working to pass gun reform legislation. Sign petitions, volunteer and donate generously whenever you can.
And one more thing: you can support the victims and their families of yesterday’s tragic shooting here: https://www.gofundme.com/PulseVictimsFund.
PLEASE use these resources to light a fire, initiate change, help others and hold people accountable.
Use your voice, use your wallet, but most importantly, lead with your heart.
**HERE ARE THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE ORLANDO MASSACRE**
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
Kimberly Morris, 37 years old
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
Amanda Alvear, 25 years old
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
Simon Adrian Carrillo , 31 years old
Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old
Cory James Connell, 21 years old
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old
Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old
Yilmary Rodriguez Sulivan, 24 years old
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old
Frank Hernandez, 27 years old
Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old
Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old
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