May, 06 2013, 03:34pm EDT
Brady Campaign and Partners To Launch Mother's Day Week of Action
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence along with its Million Mom March and Brady Chapters, Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, Women's Donor Network, MomsRising and Voices Against Violence, have joined to participate in the Mother's Day Week of Action the week of May 6-10th. The Brady Campaign and partner groups are asking Americans, particularly mothers, to make their voices heard with their elected officials to support legislation to expand Brady background checks.
WASHINGTON
The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence along with its Million Mom March and Brady Chapters, Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, Women's Donor Network, MomsRising and Voices Against Violence, have joined to participate in the Mother's Day Week of Action the week of May 6-10th. The Brady Campaign and partner groups are asking Americans, particularly mothers, to make their voices heard with their elected officials to support legislation to expand Brady background checks.
"This is my first Mother's Day without my precious daughter, Jessica Redfield Ghawi, who was murdered in the Aurora Theater massacre. Mother's Day was once a happy celebration for me, but now it is a day of tremendous sadness. Unfortunately, there are too many mothers whose children are killed by guns each and every day in America. As a nation, we are better than this and we will not stop until sensible gun laws are in place that will save lives," said Sandy Phillips, Campaign Manager for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. She lost their daughter Jessica Redfield Ghawi when she was killed at the Century Movie Theater in Aurora, CO. "The fight for expanded background checks is not yet over by a long shot and we will keep giving voice to the American public until we are heard in Washington."
The Mother's Day Week of Action includes the following activities:
Monday, May 6: National Call-In Day to the House of Representatives
The new bi-partisan bill H.R. 1565 will expand background checks to gun shows and Internet sales. On Monday, May 6th, advocates will have the opportunity to text-to-call their Representatives and ask them to co-sponsor the measure. The Text-to-Call Congress Campaign is a gun violence prevention initiative recently launched by Voices Against Violence, singer Tony Bennett, his son and manager Danny Bennett and the Brady Campaign. Supporters can text MYVOICE to 877877 where they will be asked to enter their ZIP code. They will then receive a callback from a celebrity supporter or a mother who has lost a child to gun violence, who will connect them through to their Representative's office. Supporters also have the option to call 1-888-997-3976 to be connected to the service directly. Voices Against Violence was launched prior to the Senate vote and their Text-To-Call Congress Campaign has mobilized over 20,000 calls to Congress. Many celebrities have joined Tony Bennett in this effort including: Paul McCartney, Elton John, Juanes, Alec Baldwin, Jim Carrey, Sting, Gloria Estefan, k.d. lang, Josh Groban, Romeo Santos, Alejandro Sanz, Rosie O'Donnell and Mia Farrow.
Tuesday, May 7: Write a Letter to the Editor
Participating organizations will utilize online tools in which supporters can enter their ZIP code and will then be provided with a list of newspapers in their area. They are then provided with talking points and will have the ability to send out a Letter to the Editor urging their U.S. Representatives to co-sponsor H.R. 1565.
Wednesday, May 8: Social Media Campaign via Twitter/Facebook , #nomorenames
The Brady Campaign is helping lead the #nomorenames campaign for Twitter and Facebook users. Advocates can use the hashtag to ask their Representative to co-sponsor and support H.R. 1565.
Thursday, May 9: In-District Vigils
Local advocates around the country will be holding in-district vigils.
Friday, May 10: Chapter/Advocate Challenge Day
To conclude the week, advocates are encouraged to develop their own action for this day. Activities will be related to Mother's Day and will involve their community.
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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