| Gun violence is both a public health emergency and a grave threat to the goal of equality and social justice for all Americans. Yet, meaningful reform remains painfully slow. While polls find that a majority of Americans support more “gun control,” this majority is clearly not making its voices heard where it counts.
To bring new energy and stakeholders to the gun violence prevention movement, the Alliance for Justice (AFJ) and Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) embarked on a 2-year nationwide campaign to educate professional students about the issue; equip them to counter the myths perpetuated by the gun lobby; and raise their awareness of potential solutions. On October 2, 2000, programs were held at hundreds of schools of law, medicine, public health, nursing, and social work.
Participants will learn how First Monday effectively expanded the involvement of students in the gun control movement through campus-based activities, accessible and exciting materials, and connections to profession-based and community gun control activities. The APHA, ABA, NASW and dozens of other professional groups co-sponsored the program. Participants will learn how to organize similar events on their own campuses. The AFJ produced documentary film, “AMERICAN JUSTICE IN THE CROSSFIRE,” will be shown. It portrays how students, lawyers, physicians, nurses, social workers, public health researchers, teachers, etc., can be part of the solution to end gun violence in America |