Let’s start with our why.
From now until June 5, you can expect to hear from us on a daily basis as we know many of you have many excellent questions.
Taking a step back to anchor us all in the game plan, today’s email will be giving you all a refresher on **all things strategy** – then tomorrow it will be **all things action plans**.
ALL THINGS STRATEGY
The United States reality
We are living through a national crisis. We are not even halfway through 2023, and yet we’ve already witnessed more than 240 mass shootings this year – a figure which will only increase with time.
According to Pew Research, gun deaths among U.S. children and teens have increased by 50% over the two years – and guns are officially the number one killer of children and teenagers in the United States.
How do we transform this reality?
By demanding change!
Here 4 The Kids is calling on Colorado Governor Jared Polis to sign an Executive Order to ban guns and implement a statewide buyback program. To achieve this goal, we are organizing a sit-in of 25,000+ white women from around the country on Monday, June 5, at 5am in Denver, Colorado.
This is a national movement with a state-by-state strategy that begins in Colorado. Colorado is step one – and step one must be a LEAP!
Why white women?
As we prioritize the safety of historically marginalized and vulnerable populations – such as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, non-citizens, and disabled folks – we respectfully ask white women to put their bodies on the ground as marginalized communities have always done and continue to do and take part in this act of civil disobedience.
While acknowledging everyone’s agency, white women are the least likely to be brutalized by the police and hold multiple intersections of privilege and power. Thus, our movement calls upon them to join us in Denver to take up physical space and demand change.
Yet don't just read me! Watch the below video of our co-founder, Tina Strawn, who explains this strategy so brilliantly. Watch Tina’s video here.
How can other groups participate?
As we cannot guarantee ADA-compliant access and/or safety on the ground, we are encouraging people from marginalized and vulnerable communities to join the remote campaign.
Our remote campaign is an accessible and safe opportunity to take direct action online, uplift the direct action happening on the ground in Denver on June 5, and center voices of those who are most at risk for gun violence at the hands of white supremacy.
Who is Here 4 the Kids and for what do we stand?
Here 4 the Kids is led by Black, Brown, and Indigenous women and June 5 is an act of civil disobedience rooted in Black History. We are honoring the six hundred Black civil rights leaders and peaceful demonstrators who began their journey from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 and how their sacrifice and efforts led to The Voting Rights Act of 1965.
We are peaceful, non-violent, and community-driven – we are not a rally, protest, march, riot, or politically-driven. We no longer accept politicking, propaganda, and promises – nor will we tolerate politicians gaslighting and apologizing for mass death and burials.
We are all in this together. You have chosen to take part in this historic event that, frankly, has never been done before. Keep showing up. Even when you’re scared; even when your husband or your best friend questions your judgment; even, and especially, when you begin to doubt that we can do this.
We can, we will and we are.
With deep gratitude, Here 4 The Kids
P.S. We need more women just like you! Please take a moment and forward this email to FIVE of your friends and ask them to register for Denver. Don’t worry about what they’ll think. Just think about how committed you are to saving our kids.
