John,

I’m Patricia Oliver, mother to Joaquin Oliver, who was one of the 17 victims who lost their lives in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting four years ago.

Being Joaquin’s mother was a gift. He was sweet, caring and loving, and a great leader to others. Joaquin had so many friends and family who cared about him. I’m reminded of the impact he had on his classmates whenever we cross paths and they tell me how much he meant to them.

When Joaquin lost his life four years ago, I told myself he would not be taken from us in vain. My husband and I knew we had to honor his life in some way. A couple of months after the shooting, we started Change the Ref in order to empower kids to use art and nonviolent creative confrontation to fight against gun violence.

I’m still a mom, but now I’m an advocate mom fighting alongside young people to end the gun violence epidemic in our country. We’re fighting against the powerful influence of the NRA and pushing for gun reform at the federal level, so our kids no longer have to fear for their lives when they go to school.

Change the Ref was founded because no one should have to bury their child and go through what my husband and I went through. We have to fight to end gun violence like our children’s lives depend on it, because they do.

VISIT CHANGE THE REF >> [link removed]

Thank you,

Patricia Oliver
Co-Founder of Change the Ref


March For Our Lives
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New York, NY 10008
United States

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