Parents of Parkland Shooting Victim Lead Gun Control Protest at NRA HQ
In a powerful demonstration against gun violence, parents of a victim from the Parkland school shooting staged a protest outside the National Rifle Association (NRA) headquarters in Fairfax County, Virginia. Manuel and Patricia Oliver, whose son Joaquin Guac Oliver tragically lost his life in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, organized the protest as part of their ongoing efforts to bring about sensible changes to gun laws and prevent further tragedies.
As a poignant symbol, twenty-three empty school buses were parked outside the NRA building, each representing the 1,518 children who have been killed by gun violence this year alone. The organizers emphasized that every bus seat symbolized a young life lost, a child who would never have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., or experience the joy of a class trip like millions of others.
The protest also included a lie-in in front of the NRA building on Waples Mill Road. Attendees laid down, symbolizing the lives taken by gun violence and calling for action to prevent further tragedy. The Fairfax police were present during the demonstration and temporarily closed the road between Pender Drive and the I-66 overpass to ensure the safety of the participants.
This protest is part of the Never Again MSD tour organized by Manuel and Patricia Oliver, spanning 23 cities across the country since July 3. Along their 10,000-mile journey, they have met with other gun violence survivors and their families, including those affected by tragedies in Uvlade, Sante Fe, Orlando Pulse, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Nashville, among other cities.
The Olivers are co-founders of Change The Ref, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about mass shootings and gun violence while working towards reducing the influence of the NRA and gun manufacturers. Their ultimate aim is to spark tangible changes in gun laws to ensure the safety of future generations.
As the debate on gun control continues across the United States, the Olivers’ protest serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence and the urgent need for action. Their brave stance highlights the voices of victims’ families and survivors, urging policymakers and society as a whole to prioritize sensible gun laws and measures that can help prevent further loss of innocent lives.
