What You Need to Know: Wednesday's Walkout for Gun Reform
From long-standing political activists who already have made signs to those who just want to learn more about the "walkout thing" on Wednesday, Blog has you covered. Here's the who's, where's, what's, and why's of this Wednesday's demonstration.On Wednesday, there are two events happening:First, at 10:00 a.m., the #NationalSchoolWalkout calls on students across the country to step out of classes for 17 minutes to protest congressional inaction and go beyond just "tweeting thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods." On the Main Green, Brown students will come together - standing shoulder to shoulder in protest of gun violence in the United States. Featured speakers include both a Rhode Island representative and Providence's community affairs coordinator. More info available here.
Next, at 12:45, we have a more Providence-centric protest: Walkout to End Gun Violence #EnoughRI. This protest is similar to the 10:00 a.m. walkout, but also includes a rally at the Rhode Island State House (a great opportunity to take advantage of Brown's location at a state capitol).The organizer of this event from the Providence Student Union was happy to share more about why this protest is happening and what changes we should expect:
"We would like to see leaders on all levels of government pursue common-sense gun reform. There needs to also be large-scale buybacks initiated in communities vulnerable to gun violence, better background checks should make it harder to purchase any weapon, and closing of the gun-show loophole. Better access to mental health, rather than fortifying schools, should be instituted to make schools prosper and feel safer. And in all communities, social programs that address joblessness and mental health problems, two of the main route causes of gun violence, need to implemented and expanded.As for activists, they need to stay on this message, register to vote, and hold everyone accountable.Gun violence is an issue that affects students, and particularly those from the inner city, as much as perhaps any other issue of significant debate nationally. Widespread gun violence is an issue that is a reality faced every day by many students from low-income and majority-minority communities.If students want to take a stand against this perpetual violence, they should come and show RI's leaders that this is a dilemma that needs to be addressed."
The #EnoughRI Facebook event can be found here.
