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The Resistance Now: hope for gun reform after horror of Las Vegas The Resistance Now: hope for gun reform after horror of Las Vegas
(4 months later)
Horror in Las Vegas – but there could (eventually) be changeHorror in Las Vegas – but there could (eventually) be change
It is easy to feel helpless in the wake of yet another horrendous example of gun violence in America. Since 1 January 2013 there have been 1,516 mass shootings in the US – defined as four or more people shot in one incident, not including the shooter.It is easy to feel helpless in the wake of yet another horrendous example of gun violence in America. Since 1 January 2013 there have been 1,516 mass shootings in the US – defined as four or more people shot in one incident, not including the shooter.
But there are steps people can take to at least get elected officials thinking about gun reform.But there are steps people can take to at least get elected officials thinking about gun reform.
With a nod of approval from the NRA, Republicans are apparently ready to ban “bump stocks”, which were used in the Vegas shooting. But bump stocks are fitted to only a fraction of weapons, and there are questions around just how much difference such a ban would make.With a nod of approval from the NRA, Republicans are apparently ready to ban “bump stocks”, which were used in the Vegas shooting. But bump stocks are fitted to only a fraction of weapons, and there are questions around just how much difference such a ban would make.
Much of the effort for tougher reform is happening at a local level, where city and state politicians might be more open to considering tougher legislation.Much of the effort for tougher reform is happening at a local level, where city and state politicians might be more open to considering tougher legislation.
As Guardian reporter Lois Beckett writes: there is an effort in 20 states to pass “extreme risk protection order” laws, which would enable family members to petition courts to temporarily prevent “at-risk” people from possessing firearms.As Guardian reporter Lois Beckett writes: there is an effort in 20 states to pass “extreme risk protection order” laws, which would enable family members to petition courts to temporarily prevent “at-risk” people from possessing firearms.
At city level, the Live Free campaign and the Community Justice Reform Coalition are working to organize communities worst affected by gun violence.At city level, the Live Free campaign and the Community Justice Reform Coalition are working to organize communities worst affected by gun violence.
Depressingly, in Washington DC, the House of Representatives is considering which would make it easier for people to get silencers for guns. Indivisible is encouraging people to call their congressmen and women to ask them to vote against the measure – they’ve published a sample phone script here.Depressingly, in Washington DC, the House of Representatives is considering which would make it easier for people to get silencers for guns. Indivisible is encouraging people to call their congressmen and women to ask them to vote against the measure – they’ve published a sample phone script here.
Progressive victory in Birmingham, AlabamaProgressive victory in Birmingham, Alabama
Randall Woodfin, a progressive Democrat, swept to victory in the Birmingham, Alabama mayoral election on Tuesday.Randall Woodfin, a progressive Democrat, swept to victory in the Birmingham, Alabama mayoral election on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old, backed by Our Revolution and the Working Families Party, defeated the incumbent William Bell with 58% of the vote. Woodfin’s manifesto said he supports debt-free community college and reinvestment in black neighborhoods.The 36-year-old, backed by Our Revolution and the Working Families Party, defeated the incumbent William Bell with 58% of the vote. Woodfin’s manifesto said he supports debt-free community college and reinvestment in black neighborhoods.
“Tonight’s win is just one example of why progressives must invest and support local races all across the country,” said Nina Turner, president of Our Rev.“Tonight’s win is just one example of why progressives must invest and support local races all across the country,” said Nina Turner, president of Our Rev.
What we’re readingWhat we’re reading
• Those fans in uproar over NFL players kneeling during the US anthem shows the “morally corrupt contract between white fans and black athletes”, writes Samuel G Freedman here at the Guardian. Freedman says the current uproar follows a pattern that goes back to the protests by Muhammad Ali, and by Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised their fists on the podium at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.• Those fans in uproar over NFL players kneeling during the US anthem shows the “morally corrupt contract between white fans and black athletes”, writes Samuel G Freedman here at the Guardian. Freedman says the current uproar follows a pattern that goes back to the protests by Muhammad Ali, and by Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised their fists on the podium at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
“So when President Trump tweeted that the NFL protesters should be grateful for the “privilege” of playing in the league – as if they had not earned it by brain and brawn, as if their gridiron efforts from high school onward have not enriched other, mostly white stakeholders in the football industry – he was channeling the aggrieved voice of sports talk-radio and newspaper columns going back decades,” Freedman writes.“So when President Trump tweeted that the NFL protesters should be grateful for the “privilege” of playing in the league – as if they had not earned it by brain and brawn, as if their gridiron efforts from high school onward have not enriched other, mostly white stakeholders in the football industry – he was channeling the aggrieved voice of sports talk-radio and newspaper columns going back decades,” Freedman writes.
• The rightwing Washington Free Beacon published an interesting story this Wednesday. According to the Free Beacon, the WK Kellogg Foundation (created by Will Kellogg, the founder of the food manufacturer Kellogg’s) and the Ford Foundation (originally set up by the founders of the Ford Motor Company) donated millions of dollars to the progressive organization Center for Community Change in 2015. True to form, the Free Beacon reported this in a negative light, and both Kellogg and Ford have stressed they are not directly involved with the organizations. But still, it’s something.• The rightwing Washington Free Beacon published an interesting story this Wednesday. According to the Free Beacon, the WK Kellogg Foundation (created by Will Kellogg, the founder of the food manufacturer Kellogg’s) and the Ford Foundation (originally set up by the founders of the Ford Motor Company) donated millions of dollars to the progressive organization Center for Community Change in 2015. True to form, the Free Beacon reported this in a negative light, and both Kellogg and Ford have stressed they are not directly involved with the organizations. But still, it’s something.
A tale of two sexesA tale of two sexes
It’s as good a time as any to resurface this comment on gun control. It’s often attributed to Gloria Steinem. She didn’t actually say it, but whoever did has a very good point.It’s as good a time as any to resurface this comment on gun control. It’s often attributed to Gloria Steinem. She didn’t actually say it, but whoever did has a very good point.
A little louder for the folks in the back. pic.twitter.com/NAB9bvU7CMA little louder for the folks in the back. pic.twitter.com/NAB9bvU7CM
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