We want to share the story of our son Joaquin (“Guac”), who was slaughtered in his school alongside 16 other students, educators, and staff. But if you can’t read our son’s full story, will you chip in $15 to help fund Ban Assault Weapons Now PAC's work to elect champions who will work to eradicate assault weapons like the one that took our son from us? BAWN is facing a crucial deadline – so we’re personally asking if you’ll help them hit their budget goal of 859 gifts before midnight. We’re going to continue to ask you to support efforts like this, but please be sure to also sign our petition to get Guac justice at the bottom of this email. >>

Guac and us enjoying a meal out

Five years ago our son Joaquin walked into his high school – and never walked back out.

Guac was 17.

He had only a few months to go before graduating when he was murdered in the halls of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by a gunman with an assault rifle.

Five years, and THOUSANDS of mass shootings later, our elected leaders still haven’t passed a ban on assault weapons like the one that stole our son.

The truth is: The United States is the only nation where we send our kids to school and don’t know if they’ll come home on the bus or in body bags.

And now, Global Action on Gun Violence has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Guac, our family, and the families of those impacted by mass shootings across the country to ensure our government puts an end to these tragedies.

Our children deserve better than dying in the halls of their schools. Our educators and school staff members deserve better. They deserve the right to live without being shot. But unless we kick out every cowardly politician that refuses to support a federal assault weapons ban, our schools will NEVER be safe. That’s why we’re asking you to stand alongside our family and BAWN, help us elect Democratic candidates who will amplify our voices, and FINALLY get assault weapons out of our communities. But, we are still 859 gifts behind our critical goal. Can you chip in $15 before midnight to say you’re with us? >>

We made a promise in our hearts to never let Guac’s death be in vain.

He is a fierce advocate for gun safety – now we continue his fight.

So, we spent the summer traveling to the sites of modern mass shootings to spread Guac’s message and pressure our lawmakers to take action to end gun violence.

Inside Guac’s Magical School Bus with Sam Schwartz

We even drove 23 school buses to the National Rifle Association’s HQ, which resemble the 1,252 children shot and killed so far in 2023 alone.

But, while we traveled, 40+ more mass shootings were added to the count.

While we traveled, 1,100+ more lives were stolen at the barrel of a gun.

The pain – the loss – the families ripped apart… It’s devastating. It’s horrifying.

And we have a duty to put an end to it.

That’s why we’re hopeful that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will take up Global Action on Gun Violence’s lawsuit and force our government to take action to end mass shootings – but we need your help to make sure they do.

So we’re asking you to join us – because we need everyone on our side if we’re going to put an end to these mass slaughters. Please, will you pitch in $15 to help us make this the year we stamp out school shootings and mass shootings of all kinds? If 859 gun safety champions step up before midnight, they’ll secure the funds to put pressure on every single lawmaker to pass an assault weapons ban and the funds to kick out those lawmakers who refuse to fight for the people. Can we count on you to chip in and sign the petition at the end of this email? >>

Chip in $15 now >>

Chip in $25 now >>

Chip in $50 now >>

Chip in $100 now >>

Chip in another amount now >>

Thanks for fighting alongside us,

Patricia and Manny Oliver
Parents of Joaquin Oliver
Founders of Change the Ref

PS: Sign the petition to make your voice heard and support Joaquin Oliver v United States, the Lawsuit for Survival >>