Father of gun violence victim hangs banner for White House to see

by Ezekiel J. Walker February 14, 2022Updated January 19, 2023

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Gun violence is ripping through America, and whether things will ever change seems to be anyone’s guess. Yet that isn’t deterring those who demand better from our elected leaders.

Earlier today, on the 4th anniversary of the Parkland, Florida mass shooting, Manuel Oliver climbed atop a construction crane near the White House to call on President Biden to focus on gun control legislation.

Oliver displayed a large banner featuring one of the 17 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School fatal shooting victims, his son Jaoquin. A caption also included: “45K PEOPLE DIED FROM GUN VIOLENCE ON YOUR WATCH.”

Oliver would later climb down the crane with another individual before being apprehended by officers, ABC affiliate WJLA reported.

Gun violence is out of control

In a statement marking the shooting’s anniversary, Biden said his administration stands with the Parkland families. “Americans in every corner of our country who have lost loved ones to gun violence or had their lives forever altered by a shooting.”

“Americans in every corner” is quite lenient because statistically Black Americans are disproportionately impacted by gun violence. We’ve been adversely affected for some time now yet reforms have alluded us, and now school children.

With U.S. violent crimes increasing, President Biden has called on Congress to increase funding by $500 million to local police departments and community programs that address gun violence. He also has vowed to crack down on so-called ghost guns and on gun trafficking across state lines.

While these plans sound great, the fact is America’s brash gun culture has remained for centuries.

Is it too little too late?

Students and communities affected by the shootings have made their voices known and remained diligent in their fight to bring attention to the need for gun and school safety reform. However, Congressional powers-that-be haven’t budged and the shootings have only gotten worse.

According to Gun Violence Org, there have already been 5,190 gun-related deaths in 2022 alone. Also, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that nearly 40,000 Americans die from gun violence every year. That’s about 100 people every single day.

When is enough enough?

With no evidence of change in sight, grieved parents like Mr. Oliver honor their children by making sure those in power don’t forget their names.

You can visit the March for Our Lives page to assist students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Gun violence is out of control

Ezekiel J. Walker

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