Dear John,

I want to thank you for your commitment to fighting for change in this movement. For your compassion in standing with gun violence survivors. And for so much more.

Our movement is one led by love and fueled by grief. Every shooting is a tragedy that leaves in its wake confusion, grief, anger, and loss. And for some, like me and my family, it leaves a deep determination to end gun violence in America.

My fun, talented, intelligent sister Diane, who was a mother of four beautiful children, was shot and killed in an act of senseless gun violence. My family's grief over her death has changed us in so many ways. It has also brought us together in our determination to end the scourge of gun violence once and for all. Now, when we gather together, we share memories of Diane — and the ways that we are honoring her life through our activism.

We also share our story with others so those who have experienced gun violence will know they are not alone. So they know that there is a community of survivors across the country supporting one another and working to ensure no one else feels the pain we feel.

One of the ways that we share is through the Moments That Survive Memory Wall, which is a website and campaign where survivors share how gun violence has changed their lives. We hope that sharing on the Moments That Survive Memory Wall will shine a light for other survivors and help them find a path forward in their moments of darkness.

Take a moment to read the stories of gun violence survivors on the Moments That Survive Memory Wall, and share your experiences with gun violence if you have one of your own. We welcome stories from all who've had gun violence impact their lives or the lives of a loved one.

And thank you again for all you bring to the movement to end gun violence in America.

Sincerely,

Charlene Mokos Hoverter
Everytown Survivor Network

P.S. You can read my family's story on the Moments that Survive Memory Wall in memory of Diane here.