The bummer about email lists is they can be hard to maintain. Sometimes people get messages they’re not supposed to. A TTAG reader forwarded the meeting notes compiled by a member of a group of 120 gun violence victims and relatives. Michael Bloomberg’s civilian disarmament-pushing group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, funded a junket to Washington in early February where participants met with “Double Barrel” Joe Biden’s chief of staff, Bruce Reed, the first lady and their respective Senators and Members of Congress. All under the watchful eye of MAIG operatives, of course. Click here for the trip notes. One of the more revealing details . . .
Is the effort made by Biden chief of staff Reed to make sure that the victims stay on message when talking to the press.
During our press briefing with VP Biden’s lead man Bruce, it was suggested that people use the word murdered, versus lost or taken when speaking about a victim of gun violence. Murdered is a very strong word, it certainly brings about horrible images and tragic grief, but that is in fact the case with these shootings. Hearing the word murdered can’t hurt or shock more than the tragic death of a loved one. Using the word murdered stirs a strong emotion, as do these shootings, so it will lend an impact when speaking to or writing your elected official. Although there are some shootings that are accidental, these are a small percentage of the annual average of 12,000 deaths per year due to gun violence.
Because if there’s one thing MAIG and the Administration don’t want, it’s a bunch of off-message victims running around D.C.
And Organizing for Action, (Obama’s campaign organization formerly known as Organizing for America) is doing what they can to keep supporters energized when it comes to eliminating the RKBA. Here’s an email blast they sent out this morning trying to rally the troops and maintain the anti-gun fervor:
Right now, add your name to say you’ll keep the heat on Congress until they vote on sensible solutions to reduce gun violence.
We know a thing or two about making change.
We know that doing big things means all of us doing what we can, where we live. That couldn’t have been clearer on Friday for the national gun violence Day of Action.
We had 117 events in congressional districts across the country. Thousands of supporters joined in, and thousands more called and tweeted at your representatives, demanding real action from Washington to reduce gun violence. On the pavement, on the airwaves, and online, you helped put the pressure on Congress.
Check out some of the highlights.
A candlelight vigil in California:
Folks in St. Louis reminded each other — they deserve a vote:
Supporters outside a congressman’s office in New Jersey:
Volunteers in Nevada get people talking about the issues:
In Tennessee, supporters held a memorial for victims of gun violence, reminding their community of the consequences of inaction:
And folks braved the cold in Pennsylvania to show their support:
That passion and commitment will drive this organization, and that’s how we’ll finish what we started.
Thanks,
Jon
Jon Carson
Executive Director
Organizing for Action
