On June 1, 2020, we held our first-ever virtual luncheon. We went into the event with heavy hearts as we mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless other Black lives and as we confront the racist system that incited their murders.

Watch the event in it’s entirety here:

We know that fighting to end gun violence must also include fighting to root out the racism and injustice that is stitched into the fabric of our country. We are more resolved than ever to continue that fight. Our CEO, Renee Hopkins, shared a statement about our commitment to this work, which you can read in full here. 

The program continued with a panel discussion moderated by Town Hall Seattle’s Wier Harman and featuring Governor Jay Inslee, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Renee Hopkins, and Manuel and Patricia Oliver whose son Joaquin was killed at Parkland High School in 2018. The theme of the event, which was chosen before the world as we know it was upended, was A Tale of Two Washingtons and the panelists contrasted Washington state’s leadership on gun violence prevention with continued inaction in Washington DC. The conversation also covered how the coronavirus pandemic has intersected with the gun violence epidemic and how the fight for racial justice can and must be a part of the fight to end gun violence.

After the panel discussion, we shared a video that highlighted the contrast between Washington state and Washington DC on gun violence prevention. 

The program closed with a final heartfelt message from Manny Oliver who called on each of us to be a part of the solution. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters who answered his call, we were able to raise more than $850k to support our life-saving work!

The event closed with a video from Washington’s own Brandi Carlile from the 2018 March for Our Lives. 

Thank you to our panelists and to each of our supporters who joined us. 

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— Maureen McGregor is the Strategic Engagement Director with the Alliance for Gun Responsibility.