tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post701882737708185866..comments2024-03-28T02:21:17.452-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Whose Child is Next (And When Will It Matter to You)?Melissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-91480812682270811802013-01-09T09:39:19.030-08:002013-01-09T09:39:19.030-08:00Thank you for posting this, Melissa. I too will be...Thank you for posting this, Melissa. I too will be at the CeaseFire rally on Sunday. <br /><br />If there is a huge turnout, our legislators will notice and we can get the conversation started. Last year, Senator Kline couldn't even get a bill out of committee that would have held gunowners responsible if a child obtained the owner's weapon and used it to harm or kill himself or someone else. That is a common-sense piece of legislation that has been shown to reduce gun injuries/deaths in other states, and they wouldn't even discuss it in Olympia. <br /><br />But things are changing. A number of public school parents (among many other people!) have been volunteering the last few weeks to publicize the event and secure sponsors. I can tell you that there is wide support out there to reduce gun violence in our state. Look at the page of sponsors as a starting point (standupwa.org). And, there would likely be many more if there were more time for organizations to discuss the issue internally and vote. <br /><br />But the most important thing any of us who care about reducing gun violence can do is to show up on Sunday. If you can't march the 1.4 miles from Westlake to Seattle Center, simply show up at the Mural Amphitheater around 215PM or 230PM for the rally and speakers. I don't know how many people it will take to call the rally a success, but I do know that if turnout is poor, Olympia will have no incentive to work on gun safety this session.<br /><br />Lastly, take a look at the WSPTA advocacy website, where they summarize the positions of National PTA on school safety and gun violence. Although our state and local organizations don't currently have positions, National PTA supports reinstating and strengthening the federal assaults weapons ban and is against arming teachers and other school personnel, an issue that may be important for all of us to consider because Representative Pike plans to submit a bill this year allowing teachers to carry concealed weapons in school. Most of our PTAs probably haven't discussed this issue before, but we may need to take a position this year. <br /><br />wsptagrassroots.blogspot.com/2012/advocating-for-school-safety.htmlLorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07777580098975083499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18045152578475169162013-01-09T00:39:59.223-08:002013-01-09T00:39:59.223-08:00No one is trying to take away or deny any American...No one is trying to take away or deny any American of their civil rights. It is about common sense and safety in our current day and age.<br /><br />My family will also be at the march this weekend. Enough is enough. Stop the fear mongering and paranoia. Common sense needs to prevail.<br /><br />LeeanneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36887201349457258762013-01-08T18:53:44.063-08:002013-01-08T18:53:44.063-08:00I will also be at the Washington Cease Fire Rally....I will also be at the Washington Cease Fire Rally. Gun-control advocates are not as well-financed as the NRA-what a ridiculous appeal. I want to support any organization or hello...any politician who might have the guts to start standing up to the NRA. The NRA has undermined public health research for over a decadeand it's time to call them out.<br />Laura Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12899101169584967715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30203715346263536212013-01-08T18:30:01.171-08:002013-01-08T18:30:01.171-08:00My family and I will be at the Washington Cease Fi...My family and I will be at the Washington Cease Fire rally and are spreading the word to others. This isn't about gun bans, it's about common sense and responsibility. Why would that make anyone feel threatened? <br /><br />MollyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-81383470452217055332013-01-08T14:36:49.366-08:002013-01-08T14:36:49.366-08:00It matters to me right now. There is a well organ...It matters to me right now. There is a well organized, well financed effort to deny the American people their civil rights. Join the NRA here:<br /> https://membership.nrahq.org/forms/signup.asp?campaignid=bonusgiftwy&EK=Y3ARPPBD&pubID=148.30&hid=20386812<br /><br />Signed, <br />Fight for your rights!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com