OUR COMMITMENT TO RACIAL JUSTICE
August 31, 2020

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence was conceived to end gun violence and make the world a safer place for children and grandchildren everywhere. The founders of Grandmothers were galvanized into action when the 20 children and 6 adults of Sandy Hook, Connecticut were senselessly murdered.

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence mobilized and united with other Grandmothers equally committed to our cause. As gun violence escalated in the United States and mass shootings increased, we expanded our organization and intensified our efforts to end gun violence.

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence grew from four to 1200 members. Grandmothers recognizes the need to protect human life. We march, we write letters, we petition, we visit our legislators, we lobby, we gather signatures, we vote and we urge others to vote. 

In addition to our concerns about mass shootings, gang violence, domestic violence and suicides, we must now respond to the reality of police violence against unarmed Black and Brown citizens.  We recognize that racial injustice and gun violence are inherently intertwined.  The effect of structural, systemic, and institutional racism is not lost on us.  We understand that slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the school to prison pipeline have all had disastrous effects on the lives of people of color. 

Grandmothers Against Gun Violence works to support and help pass comprehensive gun safety and responsibility measures. Through our thoughtful advocacy, Grandmothers is a persistent force for positive social change. We are grandmothers committed to eliminating gun violence in all communities. We want to leave a more equitable society for grandchildren everywhere. 

GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE COMMITS TO THESE TRUTHS IN SUPPORT OF ENDING VIOLENCE:

  • Black Lives Matter

  • White Silence enables racial injustice and gun violence to go unchecked and unchallenged.

  • Systemic racism is real.

  • Police brutality is a product of America’s long and continuing history of suppressive violence towards people of color.

  • Police reform, led by broad community engagement and support, is essential to end racism and gun violence.

  • Public health approaches must be prioritized to end gun violence.

GRANDMOTHERS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE COMMITS TO THESE ACTIONS:

  • We acknowledge the history of this country that created systemic racism and examine our own biases and practices that maintain and support it.

  • We invest in community-based solutions to end gun violence.

  • We work with people of color to guide our mission to end gun violence.

  • We commit to racial justice in all our work: advocacy, education, and research for gun violence prevention.

  • Grandmothers Against Gun Violence Show up, Stand up, and Speak up!