March For Our Lives March 23, 2018 Advocacy AAP, Gun Violence, March of Our Lives 0 Tomorrow, March 24, student survivors from Parkland and other communities will host marches across the country and the March for Our Lives in Washington, DC to speak out against gun violence. The children and teenagers across the country impacted by the daily toll of gun violence and by recent mass shootings have been leading the way for the rest of us. Pediatricians know that gun violence is a public health emergency and should be treated as such. During AAP’s Annual Leadership Forum, over 45 videos of pediatricians speaking up against gun violence were made. You can see the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKYV5259WcZ0o2LkTt8oEPVp-92IusBsk Here are three ways you can engage in our efforts right now. 1.) Participate in March 24 Day of Action. Attend the march in Washington, DC or cities across the country. If you are in DC, stop by the AAP's office before or after you march. Email kids1st@aap.org for details. If you participate in a local event, take photos and videos and send them to us at kids1st@aap.org. 2.) Share your message in the media and on social media. Write an op-ed in your local paper in advance of or after March 24, framing gun violence as a public health threat to children, using this op-ed toolkit as a guide. Email kids1st@aap.org if you are published! Speak out on social media using #MarchForOurLives, #EndGunViolence and #NeverAgain. Share why you are speaking out against gun violence as a pediatrician. Tag @AmerAcadPeds to share with us what you post! Share AAP’s compilation video of pediatricians speaking out against gun violence. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmerAcadPeds/videos/10155722750485432/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/977244000641081346 YouTube: https://youtu.be/b_skjkaGQQ0 Sample social media: As long as children continue to be injured and killed by guns in this country, pediatricians will speak up to #EndGunViolence. #MarchForOurLives https://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/977244000641081346 Pediatricians see first-hand the toll gun violence takes in children’s lives. Every day, 74 children are injured or killed by guns in this country. To protect children and #EndGunViolence, we can and must do more. #NeverAgain https://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/977244000641081346 Whether through mass shootings, accidental shootings, suicide or homicide, gun violence is a threat to children’s health every day. We stand with all children impacted to say #EndGunViolence. #MarchForOurLives https://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/977244000641081346 To the young people speaking out to #EndGunViolence: “As pediatricians, we got your back. We support you. We always have and we always will.” #MarchForOurLives https://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/977244000641081346 As a pediatrician, I have a message for all of the young people taking part in the #MarchForOurLives: I hear you. I support you. I will fight for you to #EndGunViolence. https://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/977244000641081346 .@(insert your member of Congress’ handle), I am a pediatrician in (State or City). Gun violence is a public health epidemic that injuring and killing our children at alarming rates. Please pursue policies to keep children safe and #EndGunViolence. #MarchForOurLives https://twitter.com/AmerAcadPeds/status/977244000641081346 3.) Tell Congress to act now to keep children safe. Between now and March 24, urge your federal legislators to fund federal gun violence prevention research, raise the age limit for purchasing assault weapons and keep these weapons off the streets. Learn more and take action here. Comments are closed.
