Turn outrage 
into action 

“In high school, gun violence stormed into the life of my friend, who survived after multiple surgeries after a gun shot wound. When that happened, I decided to start a conversation on how to stop gun violence in my community.

South Central Los Angeles Students Demand Action organizes rallies, host panels, and speaks out against gun violence in our hometown.

We focus our attention on daily gun violence. We lift up our community members to honor those who have had their lives cut short by gun violence, especially black and brown children and young people who die every day from senseless violence in our communities. We plan community events, meet with local elected officials, and develop critical leadership skills. We’re committed to channeling our talents and passions to mobilize our community.

This summer, my friends and I organized a leadership academy for low-income high school students in South Central Los Angeles. For eight weeks, we taught fourteen students of color how to plan events against gun violence. At Impact Day, the final summer program event, the South Central Students Demand Action Summer Program showcased ten proposals for reducing gun violence in the coming year.”

– Marco Vargas, South Central LA Students Demand Action Leader, Students Demand Action National Advisory Board Member & Student at Dartmouth College

“This spring we partnered with local gun violence prevention groups in facilitating the creation of a mural on the same street as the location of the 2015 Boys & Girls Club shooting and in a community that is disproportionately impacted by gun violence. Our artist, Brittany Williams, wanted to remind our city that, “Through Tragedy, There’s Hope.” Neighbors helped paint the mural and survivors had the opportunity to paint their name, or the name of someone whose life was taken by gun violence on the mural. We also held a dedication event with tabling, voter registration, survivor speakers, spoken word performed by youth, and were joined by our Chief of Police and Mayor.”

– Audrey Sample, Group Lead, Students Demand Action Rochester & Student at Monroe Community College

“My hometown of Jersey City is leading New Jersey in various technologically advanced and innovative initiatives that strive to make our city better. The South Side of Jersey City has been ravaged by gun violence over decades. I’ve talked to mothers who’ve lost their kids to drive-by shootings, just because they were playing on their front porch. Everyone should have a chance to play outside without fear.

On January 11th, 2019 I became a survivor of gun violence when I was in close proximity to a shooting at Newport Mall in Jersey City. I ran for my life that day. My anger at the incident has strengthened my resolve, and it is absolutely my duty to empower and support survivors and their families.

For Wear Orange (which marks Gun Violence Awareness Day), Students Demand Action Hudson County sponsored and helped organize the 2019 Jersey City Unity Walk. This event brought together major violence prevention groups in the greater Hudson County area for a march through Greenville, a Jersey City community greatly impacted by gun violence.

Students Demand Action Hudson County is committed to building and maintaining relationships in our community. We engage legislators, violence interrupters, and survivors in our work. Our group does regular outreach to communities with a focus on those most impacted by gun violence in Jersey City. We empower those who have felt ignored over the years, because we believe that those who are closest to the violence, are closest to the solution.”

– Jai Patel, Group Lead, Students Demand Action Hudson County, Students Demand Action National Advisory Board Member & Rutgers University Student

“The Parkland shooting on February 14, 2018 hit very close to home for many of us here in Miami, Florida. Three days after that senseless act of violence, we started Students Demand Action Miami. Ever since that day, we have been educating and engaging with the community on the issue of gun violence. We believe that if we continue the conversation and demand action from our leaders, there will be an end to gun violence. Our goals for the coming year are to have a Students Demand Action group in the majority of high schools in Miami, register and inform future voters on the voting process and gun sense candidates, and urge our elected officials to pass common sense gun laws. Finally, we would also like to engage more minority students to be part of the conversation as it relates to gun violence prevention.

In the late summer of 2018, the Miami group of Students Demand Action worked very hard to organize a benefit concert called Life Over Bullets to happen in late September, 2018. Our goal was to spread awareness on the gun violence that affects our community by donating to local organizations that have been working hard to end gun violence in South Florida. This was going to be a major event and none of us had any experience in planning a benefit concert. However, that did not stop us. Through endless days and nights, we were able to secure 20 performances consisting of over 100 performers (local students throughout the South Florida area), 5 speakers (from Moms Demand Action, 2018 Gun Sense Candidates, and local student activists), a musical director, tech/backstage assistance, a food caterer, community tables, a voter registration drive, and 500 people in the audience — a full house! The event was a powerful night with people walking away with tears, hope, passion, and a readiness to engage in the movement. We also raised around $3,000 to which we donated to Guitars Over Guns and the RJT Foundation.”

Being a part of this movement is hard, but when I feel down I think about all the survivors who fight every day to end gun violence. Their strength keeps me going.”

– Juliana Simone, Group Lead, Students Demand Action Miami, Students Demand Action National Advisory Board Member & Student at Laurel Springs School