John,

It's been three years since the Parkland massacre at my high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas. It's hard for me to reflect back on that day — what it was like to have classmates and teachers gunned down around me. But right now, we have our best opportunity since Parkland to pass a ban on assault weapons, so I want to take some time today to share my story with you. It's important to act now more than ever.

I was in my Holocaust history class, finishing up a presentation on hate groups, when we heard loud pops from the hall. Then shots were fired through our classroom window. At first, I couldn't believe what was happening. I thought the red pooling on the floor must have been paint from a paintball gun. But then, I smelled the smoke and gunpowder.

My classmate was shot and killed right in front of me. As he slumped down, I mirrored his movements, hiding under his lifeless body. I knew my best chance at surviving was to look like I had already been shot, too. As the shooting moved away from my classroom, I hid behind a filing cabinet and called my parents. I gave them my last goodbye, telling them how much I loved them and my brothers — because I thought I was going to die.

My classmates were murdered with an AR-15 — a military-style assault weapon that had no place in my neighborhood in Florida. What I learned in my Holocaust history class is that hate kills — but so does indifference. Banning assault weapons would have saved the lives of my classmates that day — and could save countless more across the country. Brady is leading the fight to ban assault weapons, and I know they can get the job done — so I told them I'd reach out with my story to help them raise $25,000 in honor of the Parkland anniversary. Will you donate $5 or more right now to help Brady fight to ban assault weapons and prevent senseless deaths from gun violence?

Before the massacre, I wouldn't have called myself outspoken. But afterward, my mom told me that sharing my story could save lives — and I've now dedicated myself to activism. 

Gun violence disproportionately affects Black and Brown communities like mine. Even before Parkland, my uncle was shot and killed at 18 years old — I speak out today so no family has to endure what mine has. I'm not here to make people comfortable. I'm here to demand the long-overdue change we need.

With gun safety champions in Congress and the White House, we have a historic opportunity to make that change happen. But I can't do it alone. Brady can't do it alone. We need thousands of people like you, all across the country, to take action with us. That's why I'm urging you to make a donation in honor of the Parkland victims and survivors, like me, before midnight tonight:

Donate $5 or more right now to help Brady take action on common-sense gun safety reforms that will save lives.

Thank you for taking the time to listen — and take action — today. 

Aalayah Eastmond
Parkland survivor 
Brady Team ENOUGH Executive Council Member