It's time for policy, action, and change

Grief sits heavy today.

We grieve for the families in Uvalde, in Chicago, in Laguna Woods, in Buffalo, in Pittsburgh, in Columbia, in New York City, in Sacramento, in Portland. 

And these are just the mass shootings this year. 

We grieve for our families here in Ohio, continually re-traumatized by the violence across the nation as we carry the pain of burying our own loved ones over the years, lost in mass shootings, in gun violence, in police violence, in incarceration. 

Yet while our grief remains heavy and our hearts remain burdened, we must unite as Ohio families - all our families - and demand policy, action, and change. 

We demand the right to send our children to school without fear.

We demand the right to survive encounters with police.

We demand the right to speak out against injustice.

We demand the right to thrive in an environment that is safe for all of us.

We demand the dignity of humanity.

Why Policy? 

Policy defines the spaces we move in. Policy touches our water, our food, the air we breathe. Policy determines the safety of our children in schools. Policy creates paths for us to demand justice when we are harmed. Policy tells us who we can turn to when we are harmed by police, and who we can’t. Policy leads us to resources that can help us when we need it the most.

Policy is used by those in power to oppress those of us who aren’t.

Organizing is how we shut it down.

Organizing is how we tear down, brick by oppressive brick, the institutions that depend on the status quo to keep the power for the few and the pain among the many. 

Organizing is how we build communities that are safe for us.

Organizing is how we create environments where our children thrive.

Enough is enough.

We must act now to protect our communities.

Demand liberation.

Demand equity.

Demand dignity. 

For all.

If you’re ready to seize this moment — stand with us. If you’re ready to turn your pain into purpose — stand with us. If you’re ready to take that knowledge — stand with us. If you’re ready to push policy that works for you and not against you — stand with us.

It takes all Ohio families, united together, to carry this work. 

It’s time for policy for all people. 

We have the knowledge to do this together.

We hold the power now.