On Day of Action, Congresswoman Bustos Urges Families in the 17th District to Share Videos about how Gun Violence has affected their Lives or Communities using #17stories
Moline, IL – Today as Americans across our country mark a National Day of Action to reduce gun violence, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is asking her constituents to share their stories online using the hashtag #17Stories. As a former journalist, Bustos interviewed more than 70 members of Congress during last week’s sit-in protest to find out what is motivating them to take action to prevent gun violence. Included in these interviews was one with Congresswoman Jackie Speier who told a very personal story about how she was shot five times at Jonestown and how surviving gun violence has shaped her life.
So now, Congresswoman Bustos is asking families from the 17th district to tell their stories about why this is so important to them.
In a short web video posted to Facebook and Twitter, Bustos urged her constituents to record a short video about how gun violence has impacted them or their communities – then share it on Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #17Stories.
You can watch Bustos’ video urging constituents to tweet and post their stories here:
“I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child or loved one in a senseless act of gun violence, but that’s what happened 35 times in my district last year,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “These stories must be told so I'm asking my constituents to make short videos on Facebook and Twitter using #17Stories to share how gun violence has affected their lives, the lives of their loved ones or their communities. As the wife of a sheriff and owner of a gun myself, I know that we can strike the right balance to defend the rights of law abiding gun owners while making it harder for suspected terrorists or violent criminals to get their hands on deadly weapons.”
“Just one week after the historic sit-in on the House floor, leaders in Congress are holding yet another historic event to urge our elected officials in the U.S. House of Representatives to hold a vote on bipartisan legislation that protects the rights of law-abiding Americans, keeps guns out of the wrong hands, and saves lives,” said former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Co-Founder of the gun violence prevention organization Americans for Responsible Solutions. “I want to thank Congresswoman Bustos for helping lead the fight against our nation’s gun violence crisis. Speaking is difficult for me. But I haven't been silenced. And neither should the American people. Their Representatives must vote to make our communities safer.”
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