We want to share the story of our son Joaquin (“Guac”), who was slaughtered in his school alongside 16 other students, educators, and staff six years ago in Parkland, Florida. But if you can’t read our son’s full story, will you chip in $15 to help Ban Assault Weapons Now’s movement to elect gun safety champions who will work to eradicate assault weapons like the one that took our son from us? BAWN set a goal to raise $5,000 in the next 48 hours to honor the 17 lives stolen at Parkland six years ago, tomorrow – so we’re personally asking if you’ll help. Your support means more to us than you can understand. >>

Cherished photos of our family

Tomorrow marks six years since our son Joaquin walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School – and never walked back out.

Guac was 17. He was smart, talented, and a beautiful soul who wanted to change the world.

He would often spend hours talking about the government’s refusal to take action to end gun violence.

Every day we think about him and wonder what his last moments must have been like.

Every day we watch more families torn apart by these preventable tragedies while our elected officials refuse to take necessary action.

Because six years and THOUSANDS of mass shootings later, our leaders still haven’t banned assault weapons like the one that stole our son from us.

But we know we have the power to make a difference.

So we’re working tirelessly to amplify Joaquin’s voice to ensure everyone hears his message, that his legacy lives on, and to save lives by banning these killing machines.

But we need your help. Unless we kick out every cowardly politician who refuses to support a federal assault weapons ban, our schools, communities, and families will NEVER be safe. So we’re asking you to stand alongside our family and BAWN, help us elect gun safety candidates who will amplify Guac’s voice too, and FINALLY get assault weapons out of our communities for good. BAWN set an ambitious goal – $5,000 raised in the next 48 hours to honor the 17 lives, including our Guac’s, stolen in Parkland six years ago. Can you chip in $15 right away to say you’re with us? >>

We made a promise in our hearts to never let Guac’s death be in vain.

He was a fierce advocate for gun safety – and even after six years, we continue his fight.

We spent the summer traveling to the sites of mass shootings from coast to coast to spread Guac’s message and pressure lawmakers to take action.

We took 23 school buses to the National Rifle Association’s HQ to show the number of children shot and killed.

We even brought Guac’s message to San Diego Comic-Con and told his story to thousands.

Manny unveiling Guac’s bobblehead at Comic-Con

But the bloodshed, violence, and heartbreak continue to tear communities apart.

So, we just launched a new campaign, AR-15 and Under, to put direct pressure on the lawmakers who shamelessly glorify assault rifles for their political gain – and demand they take action to end mass shootings.

And now we’re teaming up with BAWN and asking you to join us too – because we need everyone on our side if we’re going to end these mass slaughters and unseat the cowards that have let the bloodshed continue endlessly for the last six years. Please: BAWN set a goal to raise $5,000 before midnight tomorrow to honor Joaquin and the 16 other innocent souls stole six years ago, secure the funds to put pressure on every single lawmaker to pass an assault weapons ban, and kick out the cowardly lawmakers who refuse to fight for our kids and our communities. Can we count on you? >>

Chip in $15 now >>

Chip in $25 now >>

Chip in $50 now >>

Chip in $100 now >>

Chip in another amount now >>

Thanks for joining us,

Patricia and Manny Oliver
Parents of Joaquin Oliver
Founders of Change the Ref

PS: Learn more about AR-15 And Under, and put pressure on cowardly lawmakers exploiting assault weapons for their gain here >>