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Liz is right, John. We cannot wait for the majority of Americans to become gun violence survivors before change comes to our country.
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I know what the survivors in Lewiston must be feeling in this moment, because my family and I experienced that exact same emotion when my father was shot and killed. I know what it’s like to have joyous moments tinged with heartache long after the initial grief subsides.
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It’s why I fight with Brady – so that no one else has to experience the kind of pain that Liz and I know well. Will you join me in this fight and take action in the face of tragedy, to help stop the next one? Add your name to Brady’s urgent petition now and demand Congress ban assault weapons and save lives.
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I’m glad that Rep. Golden has changed his stance on assault weapons and I believe that other lawmakers can do the same. But change is only going to happen if we make it happen and we cannot afford inaction.
Steve Kerr
Gun Violence Survivor
Coach, Golden State Warriors
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Liz Dunning
Subject: I don't want the majority of Americans to become gun violence survivors before change comes
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John,
On Wednesday, 18 people in Lewiston, ME, were killed in a matter of minutes by a gunman armed with an assault style weapon.
On Thursday, Rep. Jared Golden, who represents the city and the surrounding area, addressed the public and reversed his long-held opposition to banning weapons of war, calling on Congress to ban assault weapons like the one used in the massacre in his hometown.
Golden may be just one lawmaker, but his action is powerful. Each individual that joins our movement is the critical, incremental change that we need to win this fight, win a future free from gun violence. But this is far from the way I want this change to happen.
Because, while I'm glad that Rep. Golden is joining a fight that will save lives, he’s changed because he became one of the 1 in 5 Americans that has been personally affected by gun violence. As a gun violence survivor myself, I don’t want anyone else to experience the same horror before they are moved to do something to stop the next tragedy.
Surviving means you fight through nightmares and unexpected flashbacks to the worst moment of your life. You feel isolated as the world moves forward when yours is stopped in time, changed forever. You think about the person you once were and wonder ‘did they enjoy that life enough?’ and wish you could go back and savor it. Because now, joy is different. It is hard to find unaccompanied by pain.
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Mine is not an experience I wish for anyone, but it is now the truth for countless more survivors in Lewiston. It can’t be personal experience that is what’s required for people to start to raise their voice for change, so I’m asking you to speak out today and demand action before the next tragedy, before new survivors have to fight through more grief to plead with a nation that won’t listen.
Will you send an urgent message to Congress and call for a ban on assault weapons now? I’m counting on activists like you, John, to help create a safer country before the majority of Americans has a lived experience like mine.
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Thank you for taking action before it’s too late.
Liz Dunning
Gun Violence Survivor
Chief Development & Engagement Officer
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Thank you for joining us in honoring the victims who were senselessly killed in Lewiston, ME: Tricia Asselin, 53; William Brackett, 48; Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40; Thomas Conrad, 34; Michael Deslauriers II, 51; Maxx Hathaway, 35; Bryan MacFarlane, 41; Keith Macneir, 64; Ronald Morin, 55; Joshua Seal, 36; Arthur “Artie” Strout, 42; Robert Violette, 76; Lucille Violette, 73; Stephen Vozzella, 45; Jason Walker, 51; Joseph “Joey” Walker, 57; Aaron Young, 14; William Young, 44.
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