Seattle-based Grandmothers Against Gun Violence (GAGV) will host the virtual panel discussion “Our Youth and School Safety: Activism to Action” on March 14 starting at 10 a.m.
During the discussion, educators, survivors of gun violence, anti-gun violence activists and others will share their experiences pushing for safer gun laws and discuss the changing world of school safety.
Speakers do, indeed, have lived experience to bring to panel. They include:
- Mia Tretta, a senior at Saugus High School in California and a gun violence survivor.
- Kiki Leyba, a teacher at Colorado’s Columbine High School and national ambassador for Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence
- April Schentrup, the mother of a child killed in the Parkland High School mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
Seattle School Board Member Liz Rankin, whose district includes shooting site Ingraham High School, and Lincoln High School student Chetan Soni will also join discussion moderator and GAGV’s Vice Chair Jennifer Dolan Waldman, a former middle school principal and former assistant school superintendent.
Grandmothers Against Gun Violence has been lobbying the Washington State Legislature in Olympia to pass responsible gun control laws by the end of the 2023 legislative session. The session ends in late April.
GAGV priority bills still moving through the process include:
- House Bill 1143 and its senate companion Senate Bill 5232 would require a permit to purchase a gun, requiring training, an enhanced background check and a 10-day waiting period to purchase a firearm.
- House Bill 1230 would require schools to distribute safe storage information.
- Join Senate/House Bill 1240 would prohibit the manufacture, distribution and sale of assault weapons.
- Senate Bill 5078 would hold manufacturers and dealers accountable for the damage caused by the weapons they sell.
To register for the online panel discussion, go to Grandmother’s Against Gun Violence event registration page.
More at Seattle’s Child:
“Taking action against gun violence: a former school principal speaks”
“Universal student meals is a no go this year, but more kids may eat free”
