August, 10 2009, 04:32pm EDT
Million Mom March Activists Mark Somber Anniversary, Launch Online 'Mother's Day 2010 Project'
On August 10, 1999, a white supremacist opened fire at children, camp
counselors and staff at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in
Granada Hills, California. That event led to the Million Mom March on
Washington D.C. to demand sensible gun laws, held the following
Mother's Day. Activists organized the march in just nine months - "a
time frame universally respected by all mothers," said one organizer.
WASHINGTON
On August 10, 1999, a white supremacist opened fire at children, camp
counselors and staff at the North Valley Jewish Community Center in
Granada Hills, California. That event led to the Million Mom March on
Washington D.C. to demand sensible gun laws, held the following
Mother's Day. Activists organized the march in just nine months - "a
time frame universally respected by all mothers," said one organizer.
To commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the JCC shootings, Million
Mom March Chapters of the Brady Campaign are launching the Mother's Day
2010 Project, a web based collection of personal stories and
commentaries about gun violence. The stories are to highlight the
continuing toll gun violence has on this country. The Million Mom
March Chapters are also pressing Congress to pass legislation to close
the gun show loophole. Bills were introduced in both the U.S.House (HR
2324) and U.S. Senate (S. 843) earlier this year.
"We need to remember the voices that have been silenced by gun violence
in the last ten years - and to honor their memory, we need to ensure
today that our voices are heard," said Paul Helmke, President of the
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "We're encouraging longtime
activists, and new ones, to visit the Million Mom March website and
post their personal stories and their thoughts about the importance of
reducing gun violence in America."
In 1999, white supremacist Buford Furrow fired more than 70 rounds from
an Uzi assault weapon and a Glock semiautomatic handgun, wounding five
at the Community Center. He then left and killed a postal service
employee in Chatsworth, California. He later surrendered in Las
Vegas.
The Mother's Day Project 2010 can be accessed at www.millionmommarch.org.
The Million Mom March Chapters are a nationwide network of local
volunteer activists of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, the
country's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the
fight to prevent gun violence. Chapters work to enact sensible gun
laws though federal and state legislation and elections, education and
awareness campaigns, linking with victims, and coalition building and
community outreach. The Brady Campaign and Million Mom March Chapters
are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all
Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in their
communities. Online at www.millionmommarch.org and www.bradycampaign.org.
Brady United formerly known as The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and its legislative and grassroots affiliate, the Brady Campaign and its dedicated network of Million Mom March Chapters, is the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading the fight to prevent gun violence. We are devoted to creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at home, at school, at work, and in our communities.
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