(Long Island, NY) Gun violence is a problem in America that can’t be ignored. National grassroots gun violence prevention organizations States United to Prevent Gun Violence Action Fund, Inc. (SUPGVAF) and the Newtown Action Alliance (NAA) want to encourage voters to give victims of gun violence a voice and declare that they’ll be casting a vote in their honor. They’re calling the campaign the #GhostVote. The aim of the campaign is to put Common-Sense Gun Laws at the top of the agenda leading up to the elections.
On March 15th, ahead of the third Super Tuesday of the 2016 Campaign, body outlines featuring a #GhostVote ballot appeared ovenight in the nation’s capital as a symbolic gesture to give a voice to those silenced by gun violence.
The movement includes GhostVote.com where supporters are encouraged to declare that they are “Ghost Voters” in honor of those affected by gun violence. After pledging to use their voice on behalf of those who no longer can, visitors to the site will be able to update their social media profile pictures with a specially designed image, becoming a demographic that can’t be overlooked. The website also features a video, stories and images submitted by families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, with new stories being added each day to help build awareness and give others the opportunity to lend a voice to advance legislation. The #GhostVote video, narrated by actress Kathryn Erbe, known for her role as Det. Alexandra Eames on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, informs supporters how to lend their voice to the cause and can be viewed here.
“With over 30,000 lives lost to gun violence each year and 70,000 more shot and injured, we believe it’s time to give those people a voice and encourage Capitol Hill to pass the necessary bills to increase Common-Sense Gun Laws to save lives, ” says Julia Wyman, Executive Director of States United to Prevent Gun Violence Action Fund, Inc. “Our goal with #GhostVote is to showcase the need for laws that support gun violence prevention and give a voice to those who cannot speak on their own behalf.”
Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, a member of SUPGVAF, said “I am casting my #GhostVote for my brother, Greg Gunn, a husband and father, who was shot and killed at his business on a March morning nineteen years ago. Since then, over 600,000 Americans have died from gun violence while Congress has stood idly by. In this crucial election year, American voters must demand more of our elected officials and vote only for candidates who pledge to end this preventable slaughter.”
Using the platform of #GhostVote, visitors will be given the opportunity to contact their local legislators whose voices count on Capitol Hill. The website will also allow visitors to sign the Move-On Common-Sense Gun Law petition that will put additional pressure on legislators.
“We need more voters to honor victims of gun violence with action to end this national epidemic,” states Po Murray, Chairwoman of the Newtown Action Alliance. “We know firsthand that gun violence is a public health issue that can no longer be ignored.”
As President Barack Obama said, “All of us need to demand leaders brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby’s lies. All of us need to stand up and protect our fellow citizens. All of us need to demand that governors, mayors and our representatives in Congress do their part.”
New Yorkers Against Gun Violence is a statewide organization working to reduce gun violence through advocacy and education designed to encourage action, influence public opinion and lead to policy change. With a primary focus on New York State, the organization also advocates at the local and national levels for sensible gun laws, policies and practices that protect New York State residents from gun violence.
- Web: www.nyagv.org
- Twitter: @NYAGV1
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
nyagv
States United to Prevent Gun Violence Action Fund, Inc., is a grassroots organization formed to promote Common-Sense Gun Laws to keep Americans safe. Find out more about States United at:www.supgv.org.
The Newtown Action Alliance is a grassroots organization formed after the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It works to make America’s children, families, and all citizens safer through legislative and cultural change that will reduce gun violence. Find out more about the Newtown Action Alliance at: www.newtownaction.org.
