The past couple of days have been incredibly disturbing and triggering. So, first, we want to say: Take the space you need -- breathe and practice self care, in whatever way that makes sense for you. (For me, I have to remember to stop doomscrolling, unclench my jaw, and get fresh air!!) If you need a little extra support today, check out our mental health resources page. For our friends in DC, please stay safe and take care of yourselves.

We also want to say thank you, thank you, thank you to our March For Our Lives Georgia organizers and volunteers, especially the BIPOC youth and the many Black women who have been organizing in that state for years, who defeated two NRA-backed candidates. YOU helped make this win and so many others possible, and we’re very thankful for your hard work.

Yesterday’s celebrations were cut short by domestic terrorism and a blatant showcase of white supremacy. Email your representatives NOW to demand that Donald Trump be impeached for treason and inciting white supremacist violence, and should be removed from office as he is a threat to this country.

What happened yesterday was an attempted coup by white supremacist domestic terrorists. It was gun violence in one of the most sacred spaces in our democracy. And to make matters even more infuriating, they stormed the Capitol with NO police intervention -- in fact, the police even opened the barricades for them in some places. But when millions marched in peaceful Black Lives Matter protests last year, people were tear-gassed, beaten, maimed, and even killed by the police. I know because many of the young organizers and even our staff were brutalized by police without cause.

The police are protecting white supremacist domestic terrorists while killing Black and Brown people for existing in the wrong place at the wrong time. Meanwhile, the same Republican legislators condemning the white supremacist violence have been inciting it for MONTHS. The same Republican legislators who refused to do anything in the face of gun violence were in its midst. The same Republican legislators who think it’s fine for us to shelter-in-place since we were 4-years-old had to experience what too many Americans go through every year. Yesterday demonstrated just how ingrained white supremacy is in the government, and in the police. No one deserves this. 

This is a moment that will shape how young people see this country for the rest of our lives. Our generation is facing an unprecedented amount of downright scary sh!t -- but the moment we lose hope, the bad people win.

And thanks to you, despite everything, we have a lot to be hopeful for. 

This year, we’re going to pass real gun violence prevention laws to save countless lives. 

We’re going to come together to defund the police. 

We’re going to fight for our Black, brown and indigenous communities. 

We’re going to fight for actual racial justice reform.

We’re going to make our voices heard at every level of government.

Your friend, 
Maxwell Frost
National Organizing Director
March For Our Lives 

P.S. Linking mental health resources here again.