Parkland’s aggrieved parents have urged Biden to take action at gun control | Gun Violence Issues

Washington, DC – When the robber killed four students At a Michigan high school last week, the tragedy not only reminded me of the pain of Patricia and Manuel “Manny” Oliver, forcing the couple to resume their call to action.

The Olivers, who lost their son Joaquin in a tragic 2018 attack on high school in Parkland, Florida, holding open protests in Washington, DC, demanding a meeting with President Joe Biden – urging him to “declare war on gunfire” in the United States.

“We need to develop a sense of urgency and reveal the message that we need to do something urgently without thinking that this shot is a strange thing,” Manuel told Al Jazeera, sitting on the white cement blocks opposite the White House.

The couple’s son was one of the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland as a 19-year-old boy. former student – in possession of an officially purchased AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle – fired on students and staff for six minutes.

Patricia described her 17-year-old son when he died, “very special”, sweet and wise. “I got numb. I was scared. I could not speak. I could not see, ”Patricia told Al Jazeera about her feelings when her son died.

He added that the grief did not subside; he just learned to exercise power through this and said motivation is part of the process. “I’m here because Joaquin lets me stay here.”

‘Trigger’

The Parkland invasion was one of the deadliest school shootings in American history – but far from the last.

Panali 31 School shooting in the following year of the Parkland incident, according to a CNN report, when a database and the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security has recorded hundreds of school-related gun incidents since 2018.

In one recent incident, four students were killed, and seven others were injured on November 30, thought to be gunman Ethan Crumbley, 15. opened fire at Oxford High School, north of Detroit. Crumbley faces a number of charges, including murder and terrorism.

The Michigan shooting was the “trigger” for Olivers to advance his career, Patricia said.

He says: “We have a clear understanding of the parents and their current situation. “We were in this position almost four years ago. So today when this happens again, we have the potential for great success. ”

Wearing a black zipped jacket with a bead emblazoned with a Joaquin photo, Patricia said she and her husband were very supportive of their performances. Friday was the family’s ninth day near the White House, and a number of passersby stood to greet and appreciate their efforts.

Day # 9! Let’s prioritize the fight against Gun Violence. For us, this issue has always been an important issue, and we are prepared to overcome any obstacles in our path. @POTUS let us offend every one that is afflicted. #MeetWithManny pic.twitter.com/WtRFMPpnIY

– Manuel Oliver (@ manueloliver00) December 10, 2021

Using the hashtag #MeetWithManny to spread the word. Manuel, who campaigned for Biden and met with him last year, said turning to the President after the Michigan shooting was a sensible move.

“What is the highest government in the world that we can talk to? That boy, ”Manuel said, pointing to the White House.

Biden enforces the rules

In the wake of earlier this year’s fatal shooting, Biden denounced gun violence as “the shame of the world”In the country and promised to do more to address the problem. He has asked Congress to pass firearms laws, and he promised extra money about community-based violence prevention programs.

“Talk to the gun owners and most of the responsible hunters, they will tell you there is no need to have a hundred times in the magazine,” Biden said in June. “Apo [are] many people today are buying guns that they should not buy. ”

But it is a political problem in Congress, where the so-called filibuster system gives a minority of Republicans in the Senate veto power over major laws, insisting on stricter gun laws in the face of a major war.

On Friday, Manuel Oliver said Biden should announce the global crisis and use his platform as president to put the issue first.

Biden has called US gun violence a ‘national disgrace’ [File: Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters]

“If the president decides to declare war on gunfire and deliver that message to the State of the Union, it will mean a lot,” he said, referring to the president’s annual address. “I’m just talking about the leader of this country.”

Manuel showed Al Jazeera the words a White House official had sent him via email this week in response to the protests.

He also reviewed three House approved bills to tighten gun control laws enacted in the Senate, including one that would require a check for gun buyers, as well as Biden. public spending money law, which includes funds to help prevent gun violence.

“Americans, young and old are dying of gunfire every day,” the statement said. “Each of these people has a family and each of them leaves a hole in their area. That is why the President will continue to do what he can to use the available resources to reduce violence of any kind.”

Gun culture

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides for the right to “keep and carry weapons” and gun rights activists argue that weapons in good hands can save lives.

Strong firearms groups, as well as other U.S. lawmakers from the two major groups, also oppose the imposition of strict rules, arguing that this could violate the Second Amendment.

But pushing for stricter gun laws has intensified in recent years, largely because of motivating survivors of Parkland. A few months after the shooting, thousands of people gathered across the country as part of the student body March for Our Lives movement.

While the student rights activists managed to bring gun violence to the forefront of the global conflict, which led to many protests. gun control laws at the state level, gun violence has escalated since 2018.

Tool sales are up at the time of the coronavirus epidemic and killing gun violence last year. But Oliver says he is confident his fight against gun violence will win.

“It will take a while. Just as the tobacco industry today has a lot of power … the same thing will happen with the gun culture and the gun industry – I think it will end with time, “said Manuel.