Youthful organizers hopeful

In May of 2022 Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proposed sweeping gun control measures making it illegal to buy, sell or import handguns anywhere in Canada; a buy-back program for assault-style weapons; higher penalties for gun-smugglers and trafficking; increased red-flag laws for domestic violence offenders; and limiting guns to five rounds. “This is about freedom,” he said.” People should be free to go to the supermarket, their school or place of worship without fear,” (The Guardian).

At the Seeds of Change event in Edison on Sept. 17 Sam Locke, a young community organizing coordinator for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, described all American childhoods post Columbine, as was hers, growing up with an awareness of gun violence in schools, locked doors, pulled blinds, prayers. She was 14 when the 15-year-old-shooter, student Jaylen Fryberg, shot five other students at Marysville Pilchuck High, fatally wounding four before fatally shooting himself, (Seattle Times). “All our lives were forever changed, but nothing happened.”

Sam joined the Alliance after graduating from college “because I want to work for an organization that can truly make change.” Her comments opened an afternoon of presentation, commentary and discussion hosted by Safe and Sane Skagit, a chapter of the Alliance for Gun Responsibility. Spokespersons from eight Skagit non-profits: League of Women Voter's, (voter education); Transition Fidalgo and Friends, (climate awareness and resilience to fight carbon increase); Be Smart, (promoting safe gun storage); Indivisible Skagit, (connecting opportunities for citizens to take action); No More Bombs, (standing against global violence); Evergreen Islands, (protecting Skagit waters); Home Rule Skagit, (creating local government with broader representation); and Skagit Valley Clean Energy Cooperative (a new 100% clean energy cooperative).

After daily news of unprovoked wars, lies believed, fires and floods, I came away with hope.

Sincerely,

Christine Wardenburg-Skinner

Edison