In Case It Wasn’t Obvious, Major Progressive Anti-Gun Groups Are Pushing Parkland Kids Behind Scenes

Weasel Zippers

"But you’re not allowed to criticize them because, kids. Debbie Wasserman Schultz met with them the day after the shooting and arranged their trip to protest in Tallahassee and she’s been advising them on “communications strategy.”

"Via BuzzFeed:

Several large progressive organizations, donors, and a high-powered public relations firm are backing the March for Our Lives movement, which is quickly evolving from a student-run social media effort to end gun violence into one backed by some of the most influential activists in the country.

In the days after the shooting in Parkland, Florida, that killed 17 people, the teenage survivors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were impossible to ignore. They blanketed cable news coverage, built a massive following on social media, and began to organize a rally in the country’s capital in support of gun reform.

Barely two weeks ago, the student survivors sat in a circle in the living room of one of their parents’ homes, planning a trip to Tallahassee to meet with lawmakers and handling nitty-gritty matters like which media outlets to talk to.

Since then, major players and organizations — including Everytown, Giffords, Move On, Planned Parenthood, and the Women’s March LA — told BuzzFeed News they are helping the students with logistics, strategy, and planning for next month’s March for Our Lives rally and beyond. Much of the specific resources the groups are providing to the Parkland students remains unclear — as is the full list of supporting organizations — but there are broad outlines.

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The Parkland Teens Fighting For Gun Control Have The Backing Of These Huge Organizing Groups
. . . "AFT, as well as the growing contingent of organizations backing the student-led march, are working to cultivate and build upon the movement after the rally. Weingarten noted that the groups are also behind the “National School Walkout” taking place in April to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Columbine.

"After that, she says the goal is to carry that momentum until November — with some of the students already using the hashtag #VoteThemOut.

. . . "In addition to the millions of dollars raised by A-list celebrities including Oprah, George and Amal Clooney, Steven Spielberg, and Jeffrey Katzenberg, the March for Our Lives GoFundMepage has raised an additional $2.7 million as of Tuesday.

"Some of the highest GoFundMe donations have come from philanthropists such as Jeff Raikes — the former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation — and his wife, Tricia, as well as Chris and Camille Bently, who run the Bently Foundation, which supports organizations in the areas of the environment, the arts, and animal welfare, according to its website.

. . . 

"Actress Sara Ramirez — best known for her role in Grey's Anatomy — donated $20,000 to the GoFundMe page.

"Ramirez, a vocal LGBTQ activist was inspired by the students, especially Emma Gonzalez, the actor's spokesperson told BuzzFeed News.

" 'Sara often supports other activists’ work on many issues especially those affecting the LGBTQ community, people of color, and those focused on improving the lives of our youth," the spokesperson said.

"Aaron Levie, the founder of the cloud company Box, who has been vocal on Twitter about the work the student survivors have been doing, donated $10,000, telling BuzzFeed News he won't be able to join the march on Washington but will be supporting the students from afar."

. . . "Since then, major players and organizations — including Everytown, Giffords, Move On, Planned Parenthood, and the Women’s March LA — told BuzzFeed News they are helping the students with logistics, strategy, and planning for next month’s March for Our Lives rally and beyond."