A message from the Executive Director
Love is in the air, and the purest manifestation of love is the work we do to keep our families and communities safe. February was a great month for our movement, a short but busy four weeks to make big plans and kick off recruitment for major campaign activities, like Advocacy Day. Our work to create a Commonwealth free from gun violence is also expanding, and we’re proud to welcome several new team members. We applauded the Governor’s budget, and are leaning on the legislature to pass it. And, we came together to celebrate the Eagles Super Bowl Victory in a moment unfortunately interrupted by gun violence. This roadblock underscores the necessity of our work, which I’m honored to be doing with you. I hope you’ll read on and recap this brief but impactful month with us.
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Thrill of Victory Stolen by Violence |
Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts holds the Lombardi Trophy atop the Victory Bus on February 14. |
On February 9, the Philadelphia Eagles dethroned the Kansas City Chiefs, preventing a three-peat and bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Pennsylvania (where it belongs). We were so proud to watch our partners to #EndGunViolence in PA soar to victory in Super Bowl LIX. But our joy was stolen by violence when two women were shot in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia, following the victory parade. This was the second Super Bowl Parade shooting in a row, and this time it was on our turf. We cannot stand for this kind of repeated violence, and we won’t be deterred from fighting for safer communities. If you agree that our champion city and Commonwealth deserve a life free from gun violence, click here to rush a $5 donation towards our life-saving work.
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Governor’s Budget
On February 3, Gov. Shapiro announced his proposed budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. We worked closely with his administration to identify gun violence prevention priorities and we’re proud to report it includes record investments in life-saving community violence and suicide prevention initiatives. These investments are responsible for driving gun violence down to its lowest levels in nearly a decade.
The state legislature will debate and amend the budget over the coming months, and vote on a final spending bill in June. With federal funding thrown into chaos, it’s more important than ever before that the state legislature prioritize and protect funding for these critical life-saving programs. Click here to send a message to your State Representative and Senator Nikil Saval, urging them to support the Governor’s life-saving budget.
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Rep. Jennifer O’Mara addresses a crowd of supporters in Media, as Rep. Lisa Borowksi waits in the wings. |
On February 13, we held a Southeast PA Gun Safety Champion Event in Media (Delco), honoring PA Representatives Jennifer O’Mara and Lisa Borowski, and PA Senators Tim Kearney and Amanda Cappelletti. We have no problem telling legislators when they get it wrong, but we also need to celebrate them when they get it right. Reps. O’Mara and Borowski and Sens. Kearney and Cappelletti consistently put their constituents’ safety above the whims of the gun lobby, so we’re happy to toast them and invite our volunteers out for a fun night full of camaraderie and calls to action!
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Virtual Volunteer Meeting
We held our Valentine-themed Virtual Volunteer Meeting on Tuesday, February 11. Over 50 enthusiastic volunteers showed up to meet their advocacy Valentines and dig into the work ahead of us. If you want to help pass meaningful legislation to #EndGunViolence and make smart, kind, passionate friends along the way, sign up to volunteer with CeaseFirePA! Stay tuned to find out more about our next volunteer meeting!
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New Staff Spotlight ⚡ Carla Reyes
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Carla Reyes comes to CeaseFirePA with a background in domestic violence advocacy and education with additional experience in quality assurance for child and family welfare services. As a strong advocate for survivors of relationship violence, they have spearheaded working groups, facilitated community education, and established widely shared resource lists in the hopes of creating a safer world for those impacted by violence. During their time as an educator, Carla began to dive deeper into the ways different forms of violence are interconnected and the need for strong advocacy and policy, leading them to CeaseFirePA. As the Partnerships Coordinator, Carla works to develop common ground, drive partners to take action, and support advocacy and education activities. Carla is a proud Arizona native, and lives in Philly with their partner.
Jesus Lagunas |
Jesus Lagunas is proud to step into the role of Lehigh Valley Organizer at CeaseFirePA. His journey into organizing is deeply personal, stemming from his first encounter with gun violence at just eight years old. He witnessed the aftermath of a drive-by shooting outside his home, an experience that left him feeling hopeless and afraid. That moment invoked fear not only in him but throughout his immigrant community — a community often told to keep their heads down and keep moving forward. Despite the silence imposed on his community, Jesus always felt the urge to do more. That desire to create change led him to become an organizer. Jesus believes every Pennsylvanian has the right to live peacefully, without the constant fear of gun violence. Through his work at CeaseFirePA, he is committed to empowering communities, elevating voices, and holding elected officials accountable to create a safer Pennsylvania. Jesus lives in Berks County and enjoys gaming, collecting collectibles, and traveling.
Kate Lyden |
Kate’s role at CeaseFirePA is to build power in Bucks County and Northeast Philadelphia by working with local volunteers and elected officials to promote stronger gun safety laws. Growing up and going to school in the height of the increase in mass shootings in the U.S. has made her a fierce advocate for ending gun violence throughout Pennsylvania and the nation. A graduate of Lehigh University, Kate got her start in advocacy by leading organizing efforts on her campus for both candidates and issues, including gun safety laws. She lives in Bucks County and is an avid traveler, Swiftie, and Philadelphia sports fan.
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It’s almost time! Our 2025 End Gun Violence Advocacy Day in Harrisburg is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8. This is the perfect opportunity to join with friends and neighbors and lobby your Representatives in-person, demanding they support bipartisan legislation, proven to reduce gun violence in our communities. We’re scheduling lobbying meetings and organizing a huge rally on the Capitol Steps – all you have to do is show up. will you join us for this powerful annual event?
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Keystone Courage Awards 🌟 |
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CeaseFirePA
P.O. Box 60095
Philadelphia, PA 19102
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